IlIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 

Wn |w¥'il" I 

^ ^ 

I UNITED STATES OP AMERICA. | 



WIND FLOWERS 



BY 



J. LuELLA DowD Smith 



AUTHOR OF 



WAYSIDE LEAVES 



-^ OF CO/Vg^>, 




CHICAGO 

CHARLES H. KERR & COMPANY 

175 Dearborn Street 

1887 



T5 ^^^V, 



Copyright, 1887 
By lyUELLA D, Smith 



*rO MY 

MOTHER, 

WHO HAS FOUND WER RKST 

AMID THE FADE:i,KSS FLOWERS OF HEAVEN, 

I DEDICATE THIS HANDFUL 

OF THE RUE ANEMONE, FRAIL BLOSSOMS, 

THAT OPENED TO THE WINDS 

OF EARTH. 



CONTENTS 



January— 

The Mother's Prayer 11 

Edelweiss, Translated from Nanette Stengel . . 13 

The Broken Home 14 

Home 15 

Arius 16 

The Fakir 17 

The Call 19 

"My Times are in Thy Hand" 22 

A Voice from Heaven. Translated from Luise Hensel 24 

February— 

The Rebel's Death. Translated from C. H. SchnaufEer 29 
The Guitar Song of the Herdsman. Translated from 

Nanette Stengel 31 

In the Grass. Translated from Justinius Kerner . 33 

Refuge. Translated from Nikolaus Lenau ... 34 
The Dower of Love. Translated from Ferdinand Frei- 

ligrath 35 

The Home Coming. Translated from Agnes Kayser- 

Langerhanuss 37 

Thine is the Blessing "Without Measure. Translated 

from Wilhelm Duncker ...... 38 

Disturb it Not. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . 40 

On the Water. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . 42 

Morning Wandering. Translated from Emaiiuel Geibel 44 
The Beautiful Days are Gone. Translated from Otto 

Roquette 46 

Silver and Gold 47 

Love-Song. Translated from Otto Roquette . . 49 

Golden-Wedding Greetings 50 

March — 

March 53 

Blessed Outcome. Translated from Julius Sturm . 54 

Along the Way 55 

General Gordon, 1885 57 

Love and Die. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . . 59 
My Angel Care for Thee. Translated from Wilhelm 

Hertz 60 

Learned Late. After the German of Karl E. Ebert . 61 

5 



CONTENTS 



April— 

April 65 

Easter Morning. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . 66 

The Miracle of Spring 69 

The Warning 71 

Against the Sky 73 

The Sunny Land. In Memory of Jennie Boardman . 74 
The Mourners. Translated from Hoffman von Fallens- 

leben 76 

May— 

May 79 

Fungus 80 

The Voice of the Wind 82 

The Meaning of tlie Spring 84 

A Wreath for Memory , 85 

Now is the Time of the Bloom and the Gold. Trans- 
lated from Otto Roquette 87 

Dost Thou Know? Translated from Otto Eoquette . 88 

Resurrection. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . 90 

A Fragment. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . . 91 

From theWood. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . 92 

Glad Tidings. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . . 95 

By-Gones. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . . 96 

Life's May. Translated from Emanuel Geibel . . 98 

Decoration Day 99 

Youth 101 

June — 

June 105 

The Song of the Knoll 106 

Half-Way ' .... 108 

The Trio 109 

Greeting Song 110 

The White Veil 113 

The Rosebud of the Heather. Translated from Goethe 116 

July— 

To My Friend 121 

The Serenade. Translated from Uhland ... 122 

The Water-Lilies 123 

Sowing 126 

The Humming-Bird 127 

Gain With Loss 128 

The Evening Calls to Rest. Translated from Friedrich 

Gull 129 



CONTENTS 



August— 

The Heart's Treasures 133 

One Step o . . 134 

Sister Emma's Birthday 136 

In the Morning 137 

In the Evening 138 

The Sea 139 

The Infinite 141 

Stranded 143 

The Last Wish 144 

September— 

September 149 

My Lost Ideal 150 

The Larger Gift 151 

Across tlie Years 152 

Love Ditty 153 

Earthward and Heavenward 154 

In Tenebris 155 

Nirvana. Translated from E, A. Gieseler . . . 156 

The " Still, Small Voice " 158 

A Glimpse 159 

Be True to the Dreams of Thy Youth . . . .160 

"I Will Give You Rest" 161 

October— 

October 165 

The Year is Old 166 

My Mother's Birthday 167 

Gained 171 

Missed 171 

November— 

November 175 

The Autumn Heart. Translated from Emanuel Geibel 176 

How Fair is the Rhine. Translated from C. H. SchnaufEer 178 

The Way of Thorn 180 

Sorrows 1^2 

Right and Left 183 

The Love of God 184 

Autumn Lessons 186 

So Quickly Falls the Night 187 

The First Snow. Translated from Moritz Hartmann . 189 

The Evil Genii 190 

The Good Genii 198 

My Castle 205 



CONTENTS 



December— 

To My Brother 209 

Near and Far 210 

" Your House is Left Unto You Desolate " . . .212 

Visum Retrorsum 213 

The Beautiful Past . 215 

" There Fell a Great Star from Heaven " ... 216 

Flitting 218 

ACordeAdCor 220 

A Birthday Thought 223 

Christmas Eve 224 

A Prayer 226 

The Old Year 228 

The Berkshire Hills 230 

My Year 233 

Between Two Years 234 



JANUARY 



THE MOTHER'S PRAYER 

Holy virgin, Vesta sweet, 
See me kneeling at thy feet; 
Holy goddess, meek and mild, 
Come in love to kiss my child! 

Kiss his lips that, lisping sweet, 
Precious words they may repeat: 
Saved from cruelty and guile. 
Won to heaven by thy smile. 

Kiss his eyes, that never night 
Fall upon their spirit-sight: 
Saved from darkling, fruitless quest. 
Won by thee to peace and rest. 

Kiss his forehead, broad and fair, 
Give him wealth of learning rare: 
Saved from ignorance and dread, 
Won to wisdom's ways instead. 



12 THE MOTHER'S PRAYER 

Kiss his hands and make him great 
In the deeds that consecrate: 
Saved from earthly works that fall, 
Won to build his castle tall. 

Kiss his feet that they may climb 
Up the hills of God sublime: 
Saved from wandering astray, 
Won to keep the upward way. 

Vesta, goddess, hear my prayer, 
Take my child in loving care. ' ' 
Thus a mother, bending low. 
Prayed to Vesta, long ago. 

Then the goddess kissed him sweet, 
Till his heart had ceased to beat: 
Saved him from a world of nights, 
lycd him to the Heavenly heights. 

But the mother wept with woe 
For her prayer of long ago, 
Heeding not that answer given 
Made her darling sure of Heaven. 



EDELWEISS 

Translated from the German 
oE Nanette Stengeiv 

Upon the Switzer's mountain, 
Bedecked with snow and ice, 

There blooms a little floweret, 
One calls it Edelweiss. 

It blooms, concealed in shadows, 
A blossom soft and weak. 

With dewy pearls it glistens — 
The wan, white flow^er we seek. 

If thou wouldst find the floweret, 

Of toil be not afraid, 
Fear not the steeps of highlands, 

Where bridge was never laid. 

And hast thou gladly found it ? 

Then gather it with care, 
'Twill nod for thee as friendl}^ 

Adown the valley there. 



THE BROKEN HOME 

Thus, as this noble floweret 
Will tenderly be won, 

So is it with thy true love, 
Sweet blossom of the sun. 

The flower will never wither, 
Thou pluckest from the ice; 

And thus it is thy true love 
Is like the Edelweiss. 



THE BROKEN HOME 

Broken home, and no return! 

Earthly home too frail to last! 
Now no more thy hearth-fires burn: 

All thy story now is past. 

Lonely hearts and hands are weak, 
Years have dimmed the aged eyes, 

Earthly home no more they seek. 
But the mansions of the skies. 



HOME 

Without, the storms are beating fast 
And clouds obscure the day, 

Within, is shelter from the blast, 
And tears are wiped away. 

The dove without, in storm and dark, 

Upon the waters cast, 
Turns for her safety to the ark 

And finds her home at last. 

Return, O weary child of earth, 
Where light and rest are given; 

He calls thee back who sent thee forth, 
Thine only home is Heaven. 



May our eyes so dim with tears 
Have a glimpse of Heavenly peace! 

May the sorrows of our years 
In eternal morning cease! 

May our living here be sweet. 
Filled with kindly deed and true, 

Till in higher life we meet. 
There to live and love anew! 
15 



ARIUS 

lyONG years he lives alone, apart, 
But keeps God's worship in his heart; 
No more on churchly books enrolled ^ 
He joins the sheep of other fold. 

The years go by. The church at last 
Regrets the action of her past. 
From Constantine the call is heard, 
" Return, with us to praise the lyord." 

At last! At last! Communion then 
May bring him rest and peace again. 
The crowds collect to welcome him 
Within the cloistered silence dim. 

Too late! A higher call he heard — 
He takes communion with his Lord. 
He who was banished and alone 
Has found a welcome bj^ the Throne. 



I6 



THE FAKIR 

In the ashes lowly bent, 
He is praying, penitent, 

Through the years. 
Only through the grated door, 
Checkering the marble floor. 

Light appears. 

Sweeps the ground the matted hair, 
And the face is worn with care, 

Waiting long. 
From afar there presses round, 
Crowding near the hallowed ground, 

India's throng. 

They revere this holy man, 
Who, withstanding nature's plan. 

Suffers ill. 
Patient through the days of heat, 
Looking on the dusty street. 

Waiting still! 
17 



THE FAKIR 

Upward holds his weary palm, 
As who says a prayer or psalm, 

Heaven to win! 
Will his nights of weary pain, 
Will his loss of earthly gain, 

Shrive his sin ? 

'T was a vow of penance made 
When his soul was sore afraid, 

In the past. 
God above, who understands. 
See these weak, uplifted hands 

Droop at last! 

Nearer Thee, perchance, this day 
Are these seekers far away. 

Groping still, 
Than who live in lands of light, 
Swendng from the path of right, 

Doing ill. 



THE CALL 

* ' CoMK up higher, 

My desire, 

Come up higher ! ' ' 
Oh, I cannot! Hells invade. 
All my heart is sore afraid. 
Tongues of flame have hedged me in, 
Where I feel the doom of sin. 

**Be not afraid, 
I give thee aid, 
Be not afraid." 
Hell itself has given way, 
I behold the gleam of day, 
I am Ufted from that place, 
Angel hands have brought me grace. 

' ' Come up higher, 
My desire. 
Come up higher ! ' ' 
Oh, I cannot! I have sold 
All my life for yellow gold; 
Poison of earth's sordid breath 
Has condemned my soul to death. 
19 



20 THE CALL 

' ' If thou wouldst fain 
Unloose thy chain, 
Death's self is slain.'* 

Bindings of the earth are past, 

I can upward soar at last. 

Souls from lower aims are free, 

Who have heard and trusted thee. 

' ' Come up higher, 
My desire, 
Come up higher!" 

Oh, I cannot! Varying breeze 

Sweeps me to the utmost seas. 

Ocean has his hosts arrayed, 

All my mind is sore afraid. 

' ' Be not afraid, 

I give thee aid, 

Be not afraid." 
Calm of Christ is on the sea — 
Voice of Christ, ''Come unto me." 
I have turned from wreck and wrack 
To the sunbeam's brighter track. 



THE CALL 21 

* ' Come up higher, 

My desire, 

Come up higher!" 
Oh, I cannot! In the air 
I have met the foes that scare; 
Hand of Jove I dare not clasp, 
Holding lightnings in its grasp. 

' * Come unto me, 

I died for thee — 

Come unto me. ' ' 
Now the rainbow's light appears, 
Arching o'er the vale of tears. 
Powers of sin are downward hurled, 
He who called, has saved his world. 



"MY TIMES ARK IN THY HAND" 

*' This day shall be for Rest," I cried; 
' ' Sweet Rest from dawn till eventide, ' ' 
But carping Care was by my side. 

' ' I have my Work to do to-day — 
My earnest Work shall live for aye. ' ' 
Ah, me! a giant hedged my way. 

' ' This day belongs to Joy, ' ' I said, 

*' By sweetest pleasures am I led." 

Before the sunset, Joy was dead. 

''This day belongs to Hope," said I; 
' ' I read the future through her eye. ' ' 
Alas! that Hope should droop and die! 

"This day is Friendship's — true and tried, 
My friends with me for aye abide. ' ' 
Ah! some have changed, and some have 
died. 

" This day is given to Love, my own; 
My heart will never more be lone. ' * 
Love to the summer-land is flown. 



- BIY TIMES ARE IN THYHAND^' 23 

This day I dedicate to Grief: 

In tears my woes shall find relief." 

The sunshine flitted fair and brief. 

Another day to Heaven I gave, 

In thoughts that went beyond death' s wave . 

Yet life seemed boiinded by a grave. 

At last I chose a day for God: 

Flowers bloomed above the graveyard sod 

And Comfort came where Grief had trod. 

Ah, days so full of light and shade! 
I cannot hinder, cannot aid. 
Your cycles God alone hath made. 

Ah, checkered life! God knoweth best; 

All come and go at His behest, 

And they who trust His love are blest. 



A VOICE FROM HEAVEN 

TRANSI.ATED FROM THE GERMAN 
OF LUISE HENSEIv 

O, do not weep! I am not dead by dying. 

A blessed, endless life has dawned for me. 
Be comforted, my dear one, cease thy crying, 

Thou wouldst rejoice couldst thou my 
glory see. 

Here dwelleth peace; here shines eternal light; 
No more the darkness falls, no more the night. 
O, do not weep! 

O, do not weep! Why should I longer tarry 
In darksome land where death and sin 
affright? 
A nobler prize in this blest home I carry; 

My palm is green. I wear the robes of light. 
Why should thy tears bedew the graveyard 

sod? 
Mine eyes behold with joy the faue of God. 
O, do not weep! 



A VOICE FROM HE A VEN 25 

O, do not weep! See how the years are 
fleeting. 
Soon will thy angel bring thee also o'er. 
Among the blessed will I give thee greeting, 
Forever mine, where death can part no 
more. 
Then raise thy tearful eyes from graveyard 

sod; 
O, dearest! trustful, lift thine eyes to God, 
And do not weep! 



FEBRUARY 



THE REBEL'S DEATH 

Translated from the German 
OF C. H. Schnauffer 

In deep, dark shadow lying, 
Where dense the forests were, 

A weary man was dying 
In grove of solemn fir. 

He wandered there to languish, 
Far from the battle's din, 

Alone to bear his anguish 

While darkness closed him in. 

He lifts his eyes in token 
Of hope of Heavenly Day — 

His earthly life is broken, 
His life-blood ebbs away. 

The wound is large and deadly, 
The wound is deep and wide, 

The stream of life pours redly 
From out his wounded side. 
29 



30 THE REBEL'S DEATH 

One hand above is resting, 
The other on his breast! 

In tender mosses nestling, — 
The warrior is at rest. 

No bell for him is tolling. 

So early passed away; 
But woodbirds' notes are rolling 

His funeral songs to-day. 

No cross for him is showing, 
But fir trees stand around. 

And by his sword is growing 
Young ivy from the ground. 

No laurels wave above him, 
But roses, where he fell, 

Wild roses droop to love him. 
What wouldst thou more, rebel? 



THE GUITAR SONG OF THE 
HERDSMAN 

Transi/ATEd from thk German 
OF Nanette Stengeiv 

Around the herdsman's cottage 
Night resteth deep and still; 

I 've gathered home my cattle 
And safely housed from ill. 

I am so lonely always, 

No voice is toned for me; 
And what is sad or joyful, 

I trust, guitar, to thee. 

In thy dear tones of music 

My pain of spirit dies, 
And from thy strings' vibrations 

I see sweet peace arise. 

And when the shining moonlight 
On Alpine highlands gleams. 

And at my feet lies quiet 

The whole, round world of dreams, 
31 



32 THE HERDSMAN'S SONG 

I sing of love and feasting, 
And praise my native land, 

And evermore to guard it 
I pray a strong right hand. 

Far from my Alpine cottage 
Resounds my music fine; 

My song has roused the echoes, 
The whole, round world is mine. 



IN THE GRASS 
TransIvATEd from the German 

OF JUSTINUS KERNER 

WhKN one is resting on the grass 
Where fragrant flowers are growing, 

Where happy birds above him pass 
And airs of heaven are blowing, 

Ah, truly, then it cannot seem 
That he must soon be lying 

Shut deep away from song and gleam 
In darkness 'midst the dying. 

He .only thinks upon the skies, 
The birds that fly to heaven — 

Thinks God so gracious is and wise 
This also will be given. 



REFUGE 

Translated from the German 

OF NIKOI.AUS IvENAU 

Stricken deer in woodland hying, 
Wounded by the arrow, flying, 
Seek the place amid the rushes 
Where the crystal river gushes. 
It will save thy heart from breaking, 
Calm its terrors, cure its aching. 

Man, when struck by sorrow's dart, 
Seek the kindest hand's caressing, 
Seek the purest fount of blessing: 
Flee unto the mother-heart. 
Soon the wearied mothers sleep. 
Sleeps thy mother without waking, 
While thy stricken heart is breaking, 
Fly unto the woods and weep. 
34 



THE DOWER OF LOVE 

TransivATEd from the German 

OE I^ERDINAND FrEIWCRATH 

Oh, love so long as thou canst love; 

Oh, love with true affection deep! 
The hour draws near — the hour draws near 

When thou must stand by grave and weep. 

Take care, while love's sweet bliss is thine, 
To cherish it and guard it well. 

As long as yet another heart 
The words of love can hear or tell. 

And when one opes his soul to thee, 
Oh, heal for him his sorrow's smart. 

Make every hour to him a joy. 
And bring no sadness to his heart. 

Guard well thy tongue, that speaks so fast; 

Oh, do not say that bitter word! 
God knows it was not badly meant — 

It broke the loving heart that heard. 

35 



36 THE DOWER OF LOVE 

Oh, love so long as thou canst love; 

Oh, love with true affection deep! 
The hour draws near — the hour draws near 

When thou must stand by grave and weep. 

Then wilt thou lowly kneel by grave. 
Upon the long, damp graveyard grass, 

And hide thy troubled, tear-filled eyes — 
Thine eyes that cannot see him pass. 

Then wilt thou say, *' lyook down on me. 
Whose eyes for grief have wept their fill, 

Forgive that I have troubled thee, 
God knows I did not mean it ill." 

But then he hears and heeds thee not. 
Comes not with comfort for thy woe; 

The lips that kissed thee cannot say, 
''Love, I forgave thee long ago." 

Ay, he forgave thee long ago, 
Yet many a bitter tear he shed 

For thee and for thy bitter word. 

He weeps no more — among the dead. 



THE HOME COMING 37 

Oh, love so long as thou canst love: 
Oh, love with true aiFection deep! 

The hour draws near — the hour draws near 
When thou wilt stand by grave and weep. 



THK HOME COMING 



Transi^ated from the German 
OF Agnes Kayser-Langerhannss 



I CAMK from weary journey 
Again to my home-door; 

Yet found I at my coming 
But graves alone, before. 

Then felt I that the stranger 
So homeless cannot be 

As he who is forgotten 
Anear his own hearth-tree. 



THINK IS THE BLESSING 
WITHOUT MEASURE 

TrANSI^ATED from THE) GERMAN 
OF WlI^HFIyM DUNCKFR 

Oh, if thou hast a happy home, 
Wherein thy weary heart may rest, 

If there a soul is all thine own, 

To care for thee and love thee best; 

And if the grief which frets thy heart 
Another heart may also reach; 

And if the love which fills thy heart 
Another heart may also teach: 

How is thy blessing without stint! 

How rich art thou beyond compare! 
Yea, all the good the world can give 

Is dross beside thy golden share. 

If this fair blessing is thine own, 

Protect it as of Heaven's own grace, 

Within thy heart this love enthrone 
And give to her the only place. 

38 



THINE IS THE BLESSING 39 

For, were the goods of all the earth 

Thine own, and were th}^ true love lost, 

How poor wert thou with all thy gold, 
How small thy realm at such a cost! 

Full many a life has longed for love, 
That half a world has held of treasure: 

Oh, know, thrice honored, happy heart. 
Thine is the blessing without measure! 



DISTURB IT NOT 

Transi^ated from thk German 
OF E)manuei< GEIBEIv 

WhKRE) yet a heart glows bright with love» 
Extinguish not its hopeful beam; 

It were not well that sacred fire 
Should lose the glory of its gleam. 

If e'er within earth's circling orb 
There is a place like Heaven above, 

It is where trusting human hearts 
First feel the holy joys of love. 

Envy them not this dream of spring, 
Before the blossoms feel the frost; 

You do not know what Paradise 
With this fair dream of love is lost. 

For oft the strong man's heart has quailed 
When one has snatched away his fair; 

And oft the gentle soul has failed 
When hope has yielded to despair. 



DISTURB IT NOT 41 

And some cry loudly in their need, 
Whose hearts, for love's sweet sake, have 
bled; 

They leaned upon a broken reed: 
Alas! the God in them is dead. 

Remorseful tears but fall in vain; 

In vain you weep and make ado. 
The withered rose blooms not again; 

The dead of heart wake not anew. 



ON THE WATKR 

TrANSIvATED li^ROM THEJ GERMAN 
OF Emanuei. GEIBKI/ 

Now will the mount and valle}^ bloom anew: 
The winds are rustling all the treetops 

through, 
The day's loud tones grow faint in evening 

red: 
I would be joyful, but my heart is dead. 

My friends row fast and strong before the 

night, 
Their furrows sparkle in the starry light; 
The zither sweetly sounds where boats are 

led: 
I would be joyful, but my heart is dead. 

The moon comes up: with added mirth and 

zest 
The joyful songs outpour from every breast. 
Along the shore the castle-lights grow red: 
I would be joyful, but my heart is dead. 
42 



ON THE WATER 43 

And should my love arise from out her grave, 
And give me all the vows which once she 

gave, 
And say again the loving words she said: 
In vain! for past is past and dead is dead. 



MORNING WANDERING 

Transi<ated from the German 
OF Emanufiv Geibfi, 

Who will the peace of nature share, 
Must go where dawn is winging, 

When woods are still as priests of prayer. 
Their fragrant censers flinging: 

Morning zephyrs are not stirred, 

In the branches sleeps the bird. 
But lightly the brooklet is singing. 

The quiet world is as a book. 

Its pages for our healing, 
With many linings as we look, 

That tell us of God's dealing. 
Wood and blossom, near and far. 
And the holy morning-star, 

Are tokens — His love revealing. 

44 



MORNING WANDERING 45 

Devotion draws us as a sigh, 
A gleam of Heaven before us; 

While love comes knocking by-and-by, 
And wields his scepter o'er us. 

Knocks and knocks, the heart to reach. 

lyips must overflow with speech, 
With joyful, jubilant chorus. 

Now, happily, the nightingale 

His early anthem raises, 
His song resounds in mount and vale, 

Afar the sunshine blazes. 
Morning red and rays of light 
In the chorus clear unite — 

"Let us to God sing praises." 



THB BEAUTIFUI. DAYS ARE GONE 

Translated from the German 
OF Otto Roquette 

Happy days forever fleeting: 

Passed as swift as butterflies! 
Then my life was in thy greeting, 

All for thee were smiles and sighs. 
Then we, quiet, loved to linger 

Under blooming jasmine tree, 
While we saw the sunbeam's finger 

Gild with gold the shore and sea. 

Now those days are passed forever, 
Now those glowing flames are dead. 

And the sun that set wall never 
Bring again the brightness fled. 

Only memory, swiftly flying, 
Shows the picture of the past, 

Only echoes, faint and dying, 

Answer vale and hill at last. 
46 



SILVER AND GOI.D 

SparkIvES bright 

In wintry light! 
Frosty stars in all the air! 
Jeweled branches gleaming fair! 
Shining rays of moon and star! 
Silvery radiance from afar! 

Argentum aunimque 

Silver and gold! 



Silver sheen 

By moonlight seen ! 
Ripples gleaming on the sea! 
Fairest flowers that bloom for thee! 
Pearls and lilies pure and white, 
Shining as the silver bright! 

Argentum aunimque 

Silver and gold! 

47 



48 SILVER AND GOLD 

Golden spray 

With colors gay! 
Diamond flashes white and red! 
Fireflies glittering instead! 
Fire that burns with ruddy breath, 
Making holocaust of death ! 

Argentum aurumque 

Silver and gold! 

Hearts of fire 
That still aspire! 
Souls of truth as silver fair, 
Honor bright and beauty rare! 
Golden treasure that survives 
All the turmoil of our lives! 
Virtus animusque 
Cor, mens, bonitasque 
Argentum aurumque 
Silver and gold! 



LOVE-SONG 



Translated from the German 
oE Otto Roquette 

Thou dear one, wilt thou send thy glances 
Within my eyes' most sacred deep, 

To see where, in their roving fancies 
The pearl of love may sleep ? 

Thou dear one, further send thy beaming. 
Within the clear depths loving press, 

And smile at thine own image gleaming, 
The fairest pearl mine eyes confess. 

49 



GOI.DEN- WEDDING GREETINGS 

Inscribed to Mr. and Mrs. H. Roys 

Skk through all the smiles and tears 
Of these fifty vanished years, 
High above the long day's march, 
Sign of promise — rainbow arch. 
May the sunshine brightly gleam 
On the calmer, widening stream; 
Peace and rest and joy abide. 
Blessings crown the eventide! 
God's sweet blessings manifold 
Gild the sunset hills with gold. 
50 



MARCH 



MARCH 

Wayward snowflakes yet are falling, 

Driven on the frosty air; 
But the mountain nymphs are calling, 

And the gods are everywhere: 

Gods that break the winter's ruling. 

All the gates of ice unbar, 
Loose the rivers from their schooling 

In the mountain-caves afar. 

Now we hear the rootlets stirring. 
In their dwellings under ground. 

While the wind, with wild demurring, 
Breaks the winter's rest profound. 

Now the springtime resurrection 
Leads them forth to light of day: 

They are under God's protection, 
And they cannot go astray. 

53 



54 BLESSED OUTCOME 

Winter's leaves will shield them, growing 
Near the edge of winter's snow, 

Till the brighter suns with glowing, 
All the springtime warmth bestow. 

New creations kindly given, 

Fair as human lives begun. 
As the souls strayed out of Heaven 

To return at set of sun ! 



BLESSED OUTCOME 
From the: German op Jui^ius Sturm. 

For highest joy no songs are given, 
The deepest sorrow finds no voice. 

They show themselves in teardrops driven 
From eyes that weep though they rej oice. 

The highest joy, the deepest grieving 
In quiet tears alike are shown. 

The grace of God for their retrieving 
Ordains them both for love alone. 



AI.ONG THE WAY 

FiLiv up the ranks! We march along 
With mirth and jest and merry song. 
The sky above is clear and blue, 
At night the stars are shining through; 
By day we gather flowers and smile: 
And thus we journey mile on mile. 
But when the clouds and tempests come, 
Within their shadows we are dumb. 
One fell away from by my side, 
My lovely one, my hope, my bride; 
We could not pause us in the strife. 
Though one had yielded up her life. 
The death-march played along the way, 
And all my hopes were dead that day. 
Fill up the ranks! We march along: 
My heart is lonely in the throng. 
When falls the rain above my head, 
I think it weeps my dear one dead: 
When falls the snow in wintry light, 
I think my darling's grave is white. 
When flowers of springtime blossom best, 
I think they bloom above her rest. 

55 



56 ALONG THE WAY 

It may be in God's garden bright, 
His flowers transplanted bloom in light; 
Perhaps where Heavenly fields are white, 
They blossom through the starry night. 
If not — if not — we cannot sing; 
There is no longer hope in spring, 
Yet Duty standeth by our side. 
In shine and shade, a trusty guide. 
Fill up the ranks! We march along: 
The work remains — but not the song. 



i885 

GENERAL GORDON 

Onb man there was, whose eye of light 
Could see upon the mountain-height 

The narrow way of right. 
His brow was clear, his purpose strong 
To conquer every form of wrong 

His path of life along. 

His heart was full of loving thought. 
As for his ' ' truant kings ' ' he wrought, 

And set himself at naught. 
He found his way hedged in at last. 
The prestige of his victories past. 

The door of hope shut fast. 

The rolling river bore away 

The killed and wounded of the fray 

Where traitors won the day. 
The sands of fair Khartoum were red 
Where those devoted thousands bled 

For whom the chief is dead. 



58 GENERAL GORDON 

It was the irony of fate: 

His nation understood too late — 

The foe was in the gate. 
At home, afar from battles grim 
The funeral marches play for him, 

And England's eyes are dim. 

Her ' ' hero-soul ' ' has found his rest, 
No more by others' wrongs oppressed. 

His faithful work confessed; 
His weary earth-life over-past, 
Where skies no more are over-cast, 

He reaps his good at last. 

The mind to plan, the heart to feel, 
The life enstamped with God's own seal 

Are blessed beyond earth's weal. 
Around his brow there lingers yet 
The light by all the nations set — 

lyove's sacred coronet. 



LOVE AND DIE 

Transi^ated from the German 
OF Bmanuei. Geibei<. 

Through earth and Heaven brightly 
There came a being lightly 

As gentlest harper's sigh, 
To each the knowledge giving, 
The wherefore of its living, 

The way that it must die. 

She speaks to eagle — " Hurry 
Unto the sun; till flurry 

Of storm shall strike thy way." 
She says to rain, * ' Keep pouring 
Till meadows bless thy roaring. 

And then dissolve in day. ' ' 

She says to swan with urging — 
"Swim through the flood's wild surging. 
Thy death-song in the sky ! ' ' 
She speaks to pink — '* Come hither, 
In fragrance bloom — and wither; " 
To woman — " Love and die." 

59 



MY ANGBL CARK FOR THKH 

"Daz Inwer min Kngei. Wai,te ! " 

Anciknt Greeting 
From the German of Wii.hei.m Hertz 

Is this thy farewell greeting 

Thou loved one of my heart ! 
All of my pleasure fleeting 

Goes with thee as we part, 
When thou art gone; in sadness 

Grief only bides with me. 
Yet go, Beloved, in gladness ! 

My Angel care for thee ! 

My angel once was given 
To guard my joy and rest. 

When thou, my joy, art riven, 
I never more am blest. 

When thou art gone, my sadness 
Will set my angel free. 

Go on, Beloved, in gladness ! 

My angel care for thee ! 
60 



LEARNED LATE 6 1 

He must not tell thee, leaving, 

I walk a troubled way; 
And with my sorrow grieving 

Mourn for thee night and day. 
With smiles I give thee greeting 

And hide the starting tear. 
Farewell, until our meeting ! 

My angel guard thee. Dear ! 



I.EARNED LATE 

After the German of Kari, B. Ebert 

I DRKAMKD I lay in the church-yard 
Within my grave so deep; 

Yet human thought and feeling 
Were with me in that sleep. 

I heard the gentle footstep 

Above my place of rest, 
I heard the voice of mourning 

Of her I loved the best. 



62 LEARNED LATE 

* ' In vain is all my weeping — 
Would I might die," she said, 

* * Or wake thee from thy sleeping 
Among the silent dead. ' ' 

' ' I would that I might wake thee 
To tell thee all my heart 

And drive away the doubtings 
That kept our souls apart. ' ' 

She sobbed for me in sorrow, 
It broke the spell of sleep, 

My dream of love is vanished, 
I only wake to weep. 

Too late we count our treasures, 
By graves our vigils keep. 

The dead win life and loving, 
The living wake to weep. 



APRIL 



APRIL 

Melting snowflakes of the morning 
Weep themselves in tears awa}^ 

Grassy lawns with fresh adorning 
Make the landscape fair to-day. 

In the glen the flowers are peeping, 
Liverleaf with eyes of blue, 

Wakened from its winter sleeping 
To begin its life anew. 

In the woods all heavy freighted 
With the sweetest breath of spring, 

Comes the blossom all have waited, 
Fairest bloom the poets sing. 

Trailing clusters sweetly gifted. 
Waxen bloom with petals white. 

Modestly to Heaven uplifted. 
Blushing in the April light. 
65 



66 APRIL 

Down the skies the birds are drifting- 
Glimpses bright of blue and red, 

In the trees their music lifting, 
Happy songsters overhead! 

Days of sunshine; days of raining ! 

Easy moved to smiles or tears, 
Careless losing, careless gaining. 

Token of our childhood years ! 



BASTKR MORNING 

TransI/ATKd from the German of 
EmanueIv Geibei, 

Up soars the lark on Kaster morning 

In clearest region of the air, 
His rapid wing the blue adorning. 

Till lost amid the brightness there. 

The echoes of his song are ringing 
Through thousand voices of the fields, 

Awake ! Awake ! they all are singing, 
The winter to the springtime yields. 



EASTER MORNING 6y 

Awake, ye brooklets, flow in lightness 
And bless the land with fruitful days. 

Awake, ye sunbeams, shine in brightness 
And fill the greening woods with praise. 

Awake, blue violets in the heather, 
Primroses pale and blossoms red, 

Proclaim the blessed word together 
That love has power to raise the dead. 

Awake, slow human hearts that, aching, 
Still tarry in the winter's sleep, 

That with the joyance or the breaking 
In vain your empty vigils keep. 

The glory of the Lord is given, 
The breath of spring is o'er the land. 

The bondage of the tomb is riven 
And broken every cruel band. 

Awake, sad hearts whose tender sorrow 
And broken hopes must grave-ward 
cling. 

Sad eyes so filled with tears shall borrow 
The brightness of the bloom of spring. 



68 EASTER MORNING 

Ye searchers, all your labor losing, 
Far wandering on a weary way, 

Awake ! A wonder for your using ! 
The old-time world is young to-day. 

All have a part in things most holy 
That over all the land are poured. 

Renewing comes to high and lowly, 
For all, the gifts of spring are stored. 

The dry grows green, the zephyrs vying. 

The old grows young — afar and near. 
The breath of God awakes the dying. 

The Baster-day of Christ is here. 



THE MIRACLE OF SPRING 

Brown twigs are lifted to the skies, 
Dead leaves are drifted in the glade, 

Dark clouds above the mountains rise, 
And all the world is in the shade. 

Dim, brown and dead the still earth lies, 

What sign of prophecy is here ? 
An aged man beholds and sighs — 
' ' This is the winter of our year. ' ' 

He looks again, the green grass springs, 
Beneath the leaves bloom early flowers. 

The air is stirred with songs and wings 
That usher in the golden hours. 

The fruit-trees, fair, are crowned with 
white. 
The fleecy clouds sail o'er the blue. 
The gloom is vanished. All is light. 
And all the world to-day is new. 
69 



yo THE MIRACLE OF SPRING 

A voice was calling, and they heard — 
The grass— the leaves— the blossoms fair, 

They felt the heart within them stirred 
And lifted to the softer air. 

And he, whose frosted, wearied years 
Return not to their youthful tread, 

Within his heart the voices hears, 
The prophecy among the dead. 

He sees the world make answer meet; 

The forests glad their treasure bring, 
He reads again the message sweet — 

The sign and promise of the spring. 



THE WARNING 

Springtime bright and morning fair, 
Girls with blossoms in their hair, 
Apple-blossoms, sweet and white, 
Rosy- tinted in the light! 
Happy are the girls to-day, 
Dancing, laughing, light and gay, 
Passing by the mirror wide. 
Glancing lovingly aside, 
Just to see the picture, fair, 
Flushing cheeks and curling hair! 

One cheek has paled in this warm air. 
One face — the one most sweet and fair — 
Is grieved and tired and shadowed now. 
What brings the sadness to her brow ? 
All look at her in strange surprise — 
She answers thus the asking eyes: 
* ' The mirrored picture warning gives — 
For no one looks as I and lives. 
I cannot tell you how or why, 
I only know that I must die. ' ' 
71 



THE WARNING 72 

A silence and a shadow fell, 
In every heart was felt the spell. 
The blossoms faded fast away, 
In darkness wept the April day. 

When Autumn's bright-hued leaves were 

seen, 
The grass upon her grave was green. 
And sad-eyed sisters passing by 
Spoke of a land beyond the sky, 
Half with a hope, yet doubting more; 
(For far away and dim the shore) 
That she whose feet with theirs had trod, 
Now walked the happy hills of God. 



AGAINST THE SKY 

Against the sky the elm has laid 
Her graceful branches, unafraid. 
Against the sky the maples rest, 
And hold their red buds to be blest; 
But brown they look against the sky — 
Distorted buds so rough and high ! 
Seen on that ground of Heavenly blue. 
Each imperfection comes to view. 

Against the sky ! That is the test. 
Hold up thy soul, and stand confessed. 
Against the sky ! And all of earth 
Will show at once its lowly birth. 
Against the sky ! And what is fair 
Will join Eternal beauty there. 
Have fellowship wdth Heaven, and try 
To judge thy life against the sky. 

73 



THE SUNNY LAND 

In Memory of Jennie Boardman, who Died 
Aprii, 14, 1883 — Aged Twei^ve Years 

SwKKT roses from the sunny land, 
By Southern breezes mildly fanned, 
You wander far from your bright sphere. 
Fair summer flowers, how came you here ? 
Here on the ground the snows lie deep, 
Beneath the ground your sisters sleep; 
And one as frail and sweet as they — 
Our frail, white blossom dies to-day. 

Go where to-day the mother weeps — 
Go where to-day the dear one sleeps — 
Go smile above the sweet, dead face, 
And fill with fragrance all the place. 
Go show your beauty sweetly there, 
And breathe your lives away in prayer. 
Go, types of the immortal bowers 
And symbols of the fadeless flowers. 

The child hath gone to sunny land, 
We cannot see or understand. 



THE SUNNY LAND 75 

Sweet flowers, to-day you are the sign 
Of life and love and rest divine. 
And when we see you— through our tears 
We say— There come Eternal years. 
This wreath is emblem fair of truth, 
Eternal love— immortal youth. 

This star is Faith's beloved seal, 
We know not now. God will reveal 
Sweet flowers that grew in sunny land. 
Fulfill the mission God has planned, 
Speak to us of the brighter shore 
Where loved ones meet to part no more. 
Sweet child of early promise bright, 
Fulfill it in the Heavenly light. 

Our Father, hear our sad hearts pray, 
And comfort us who mourn to-day. 
In Thee alone our faith is set. 
In Thee is answer to regret. 
Teach us the promise of the Spring, 
The symbol of the tireless wing- 
Teach us with spirit eyes to see, 
And give us— Immortahty. 



THE MOURNERS 

From the German of 
Hoffman von Fai<i,ensi.fbfn 

CARBiyi^SS hast thou in the lilacs 
Joyful built thy little nest. 

lyittle bird, above the gravestones, 
Does no sorrow fill thy breast ? 

Flies are dancing, beetles whirring, 
Bees are humming in the air. 

Thou art singing in the sunbeams. 
Thankful that the earth is fair. 

Only human hearts are mourning 
Sad within the graveyard wall; 

Will not look above to heaven, 
See the Springtime over all. 
76 



MAY 



MAY 

May has come, the month, the fairest. 
With her treasures richly strewn. 

Now the flowers are at their rarest, 
And all beauty is her own. 

White the bloodroots by the river! 

Columbines are on the hill, 
While the windflowers faintly quiver, 

Kissed by wandering zephyrs still. 

In the orchard, petals hoary 

Whiten earth with Summer snow. 

Burning bush is red with glory. 
Dandelions bloom below. 

Golden stars that fell from heaven 
Scattered in the meadows green, 

With the violets are given, 
And the innocence between. 

79 



8o FUNGUS 

Lilacs lift their banners neatly, 
Tulips glow in red and gold, 

And the valley-lilies sweetly 
In the shade of leaves unfold. 

This is life's glad morning, glowing 
Fresh with youth , and strong and sweet ; 

Perfect now, but ever growing 
Toward a beauty more complete. 



FUNGUS 



Thou art cold as the grave, thou plant of 

the night, 
How camest thou here at the dawning of 

light ? 
Thou art white as a vision of Death, and as 

strange; 
Ah! where does the star of thy destiny 

range ? 



FUNGUS 8 1 

No floweret has blossomed in beauty for 
thee, 

No fruit has thou gathered on Hfe's fair 
tree. 

How growest thou ? Tell me the where- 
fore and wh}^, 

Roots feeding on death, how canst thou 
but die! 

So rapid thy growth! The lilies grow 

slow. 
Thou hast but an hour, thou plant of the 

snow, 
The evil grows fast. Its time is soon 

past, 
But slowly the good through the ages to 

last! 



THE VOICE OF THE WIND 

"What does tlie wind say? " O, child ! 
Its voices are many and fierce and wild. 
Only to thee it is whispering mild, 

And telling where roses are red. 
To some it is sobbing to-night; 
But see! It has blown out the light. 
It has come through the churchyard white, 

And has kissed the names of the dead. 

To some it tells how forests quake — 
How ocean waves in surges break — 
How souls have prayed for Jesus' sake, 

And wrecks have strewn the shore: 
How noble ships were overthrown, 
The sea, receding with a moan. 
Anon the sparkling billows shone. 

The dead returned no more. 

Some hearts, as it shrieks, are filled with 

fear; 
They tremble and groan at the voices they 

hear, 

82 



THE VOICE OF THE WIND 83 

The ghosts of their slain arise from their 
bier, 
And will not be quiet again. 
Their secret, who knows but God and the 

breeze? 
The winds have told it among the trees, 
They bear it afar over lands and seas— 
At last to the dwellings of men. 

Whatever in thy life hath been, 
Whatever lives thy soul within. 
Of deep remorse or secret sin, 

That, listening, canst thou hear. 
Each heart must hearken in amaze, 
To tones that echo through the days, 
With words of blame or voice of praise. 

Wind-blown through all the 3^ear. 



THE MEANING OF THE SPRING 

Th:^ flowers uplift their starry eyes — 
Shy arbutus! Gay daffodils! 

Above them bends the blue of skies, 
They hear the music of the rills. 

What matters that the skies are sweet, 
And all the sunshine falleth bright? 

The glory of the spring is fleet, 
And in the grave is only night. 

Yet surely nature will not lie. 

Too kindly come her symbols fair. 

Perhaps our loved ones seemed to die 
When they but breathed celestial air. 

How peaceful are their lives serene. 

Thus glorified among the blest! 

They sorrowed, but their graves are green; 

Their souls have entered into rest. 
84 



A WREATH FOR MEMORY 

May, i8— 

Fragrant wild-flower blooms 

Fill the pleasant rooms. 

Apple-blossoms, pink, 

Past and present link. 

Sweetly-flying hours 

Bind the years with flowers. 

Azaleas from the wood 
Promise only good. 
Boxwood showeth white, 
Lighting all the night. 
Birds their songs repeat, 
lyoving songs and sweet. 

On the window-sill 
Roses blossom still. 
And the heliotrope 
Fills my heart with hope; 
While the pansies fair 
Sweeten all the air. 
85 



86 A WREATH FOR MEMORY 

Memory backward cast 
Shows the pleasant past. 
Faith, with brow serene, 
Seeks the pastures green. 
Hope, with kindling eye, 
Gazes at the sky. 

Ivove, my darling, love 
lycads the soul above; 
Gives to earth its glow, 
While the vSwift years go, 
Makes our life the sign 
Of the love divine. 



NOW IS THE TIME OF THE BI^OOM 
AND THE GOIvD 

Transi^ated from the German 
oE Otto Roouette 

Now is the time of the bloom and the gold, 
O, beautiful world, so fair to unfold! 
My heart is as light and as glad as the day, 
As the jubilant air and the lark's merry lay. 
You joyful ones, sing. Your life makes its 

May. 
Now is the time of the bloom and the gold, 
Now are the days of the roses! 

Free is the heart, and free is the song. 
And free is the man all the world along; 
And a rosy kiss is not the less free, 
Though shy and timid the lips may be. 
Where is given a kiss, where is sung a rhyme, 
There is it called the golden time, 
There are the days of the roses. 



88 DOST THOU KNOW 

Ah! deep in the heart within have lain 
The seeds of joy and the germs of pain; 
Yet fresh be the heart, and lively the sense, 
Though storms in their raging rush hither 

and hence; 
We yet at all times are ready to sing. 
Yet lingers the bloom of the beautiful spring, 
Now, are the days of the roses! 



DOST THOU KNOW 

From thk German of Otto Roouktte: 

Dost thou know I watched thee climbing? 
Saw thee, sweet, midst violet bowers? 
Dost thou know thy branch of lilac. 
With its wealth of snowy flowers? 
Dost thou know the mountain way, 
Where I begged thy branch that day? 
Dost thou know? 



DOST THOU KNO W 89 

Ah! it was a picture, pleasing, 
Thus to see thee, standing, blushing; 
On the ground thy blossoms falling, 
On the stream beneath us rushing, 
Restless played thy little hand 
With thine azure ribbon-band. 
Dost thou know? 

Saw thee blushing, saw thee trembling, 
Stream and cliff and eye of HeaveU' — 
Saw thy first sweet kiss of greeting. 
Partly taken, partly given. 
From the sun a golden beam 
Rested on the hill and stream. 
Dost thou know? 



RESURRECTION 

From the German of Emanuei. GeibeIv 

When one is dead among thy best-loved 
faces, 
Endure thy grief alone — thy sad bereav- 
ing, 
That still by land or sea it never leaving, 
May go with thee in all the well-known 
places. 

Thou soon wilt feel thy loss with Heavenly 
graces. 
Alive within thy heart, where fancy 
weaving 
In light and shade builds image unde- 
ceiving 
Of him, thy rain of tears no more 
defaces. 

Ah, yes! more fair the dead must be for- 
ever. 
Around whose head transfiguring glories 

shine. 

90 



A FRAGMENT 91 

More true the dead, whom time nor change 
can sever! 
The heart holds Easter and the grave- 
stone's Hne 
From holy dust upsprings at love's en- 
deavor; 
For what is always loved is always 
thine. 



A FRAGMENT 

From the German of Emanuei. Geibsi. 

Strive; in God to blend thy being, 
Whole of heart, thou shalt be strong; 

All thy doing, thinking, seeing 
Have the harmony of song. 



Only by the path of duty 

Canst thou fairest build and best. 
All of good and all of beauty 

On the same foundation rest. 



FROM THE WOOD 

From thej Gkrman oe BmanukIv Geibei. 

I HAVK journeyed in a way 

To the depths of woodland bringing, 
With the forester to-day, 

While the village-bells were ringing. 

Golden sunshine in the trees! 

Birds were singing sweetly o'er us. 
While the voices of the breeze 

Helped to swell the Sabbath chorus. 

Thus we came into the glen 

Where, without their parents' graces, 
Slender twigs were sprouting then 

In the pleasant, sunny places. 

Joyfully the old man said 

" See the arching boughs above usl 

'Tis the blessing of the dead 

Showing how our parents love us. 
92 



FROM THE WOOD 93 

' ' Ever is it my delight 

Here to watcli the tree- tops meeting; 
'Tis for me a holy sight, 

Tis my parents' loving greeting. 

' ' What is needed for our weal 

Have our fathers for us planted. 
Thus we for our children feel, 
Thus we gather fruit enchanted. 

' ' In the forest in m}^ place 

Tenderly I feel the meeting 
With the fathers of my race, 

With the children of my greeting. 

' ' While I set the slender tree 

All my heart with love is beating. 
God above, I turn to Thee — 
All my soul a prayer repeating. 

'God protect you, tender trees! 

When your buds with life are swelling, 
Ma}^ 5' our music fill the breeze! 

Peace and freedom be your dwelling! 



94 FROM THE WOOD 

"And my children, may you feel 
Tokens of my blessing given ! 
As to me these trees reveal 
I/)ve that blesses me from heaven! " 

Silent stood the man in prayer, 
Prophet he of clearest vision, 

Looking back to childhood fair. 
Forward to the fields elysian. 

Still I see his hands extend, 

As he prays for blessings fairest, 

While above, the tree-tops bend. 
Blessing him with blessings rarest. 



GLAD TIDINGS 
From the German of Emanueiy Geibei, 

The winter silences are dying. 

Welcome the voices of the spring. 
The juices through the wood are flying, 

The heart of man is led to sing. 
Hope sees the trees with blossoms gleam- 
ing 

Beneath, the tender grass has birth. 
A vision of the future, dreaming, 

Goes like a blessing through the earth. 

Then cast aside, O soul, thy sorrow 

That held thee bound in pain so long. 
From soaring birds a lesson borrow, 

And follow them to Heaven in song. 
He who can call to bloom and gladness 

The brown and barren hedge of thorn. 
Can call thy soul from out its sadness. 

Can give a glimpse of Heavenly mom. 

95 



96 BY-GONE S 

And are thy paths bedimmed with sinning! 

Though stumble sore thy weary feet, 
BeHeve, the greater is His winning, 

Who blesses thee with pardon sweet. 
Believe the joy that comes a-nearing, 

Receive from God thy heart's desire. 
Thy soul shall gain the better cheering. 

Baptized with spirit and with fire. 



BY-GONKS 

From the German of Kmanuei. GeibeIv 

The: lovely springtime is more bright, 
With fragrance, sun and song. 

Because it hastens from our sight 
The plains and hills along. 

The dream of love is still more sweet. 
Bright dream that first-love weaves, 

Because it passes by as fleet 
As gorgeous autumn leaves. 



BY-GONE S 97 

And yet— my heart that loved and dreamed, 

Although its hopes have left, 
Because its sunshine once has gleamed 

Cannot be quite bereft. 

For it will keep the memory blest 

Of its short, happy day. 
The sun is sinking in the West, 

But let there come what may; 

Of bitter grief or joy anew, 

I will have strength to bear. 
My heart will keep its treasure true, 

Forever young and fair. 



LIFE'S MAY 

From the German of Bmanueiv Geibei< 

The brooks are filled with mirth and singing, 
The firagrance rises from the ground, 

The buds and hearts their wishes winging, 
Break all the chains the winter bound. 

The step of deer is by the fountain, 
The swan is sailing midst the blue, 

The herdsman seeks the sunny mountain, 
The boatman will his skiff undo. 

With olden powers of magic thronging, 
The springtime sings her songs divine, 

That bring to all of life its longing, 
Its better hope and brighter sign. 

And thou, my heart, with high endeavor. 
Charmed by the tuneful song and quest, 
Must seek the home of love forever, 

And journey to the land of rest. 

98 



DECORATION DAY 

May 30 — 

lyiSTEN to the soldiers' feet, 

Marching through the village street! 
Flags of union wave above, 

Hands are clasped in joy and love. 

In the church^^ard rest the dead, 
All their weary march is. o'er; 

Here the rain of flowers is shed 
Where was rain of tears before. 

Blossoms white are sign of peace, 
Sign that wars and woes shall cease. 

Blossoms blue are sign of love, 
I^ike the guarding sky above. 

Bring the roses — sign of life — 
White and red no more at strife, 

Blend them as it seemeth meet. 
Blended is their fragrance sweet. 
99 



I OO DE CORA TION DA Y 

Bring the union flag that waves, 
Blending red and white and blue. 

With the banners mark the graves — 
Starry emblems, bright and true. 

Soldier brothers, who have fought, 
Deck the soldiers' graves with flowers. 

Freedom was with life-blood bought, 
And the rich results are ours. 

lyct us lift our thanks to-day — 

Thanks to them and thanks to God, 

As we strew the flowers of May 
Tenderly above the sod. 

Let us for our nation pray; 

She is great. God make her good! 
May these blossoms of the May 

Be a pledge of brotherhood! 

O, not in vain our soldiers bled, 
Nor vainly fell our loved ones dead. 

From Maine to Gulf, from sea to sea. 
Our land is one. Our land is free. 



YOUTH 

Ai,iv the springtime days are brightened 

By the tender hght of love. 
All our earthly joys are heightened 

By the glory from above. 

Youth has all the springtime beauty, 
May it keep its heart serene, 

Walk the peaceful path of duty 
In the living pastures green! 

All the morning skies are glowing. 

And the birds are all atune, 
While the merry hours are growing 

Toward the perfect calm of noon. 

Youth has all the glow of morning, 
Tender brightness in its face; 

Ma3^ it choose for its adorning 

Heavenly wisdom — Heavenly grace! 



JUNE 



JUNE 

Junk has come, the month of roses, 
Blossoms sweeten all the air. 

Ever>^ day anew discloses 

Summer's gifts beyond compare. 

Pink azalea's reign is fleeting. 

Brightening all the woodlands green. 

Soon the modest wild flowers, greeting. 
Welcome laurel as their queen. 

By the road-side blooms the daisy, 
Buttercups reveal their gold. 

In the evening, gray and hazy, 
Primrose petals bright unfold. 

Now the bees are humming over 
Farmers' fields of purest white, 

Finding honey in the clover, 

Burnished with the pollen bright. 



I06 THE SONG OF THE KNOLL 

Sweet forget-me-nots are lifting 
Wondrous gems of heavenly blue, 

Summer clouds above are drifting, 
Golden sunbeams shining through. 

In these days of love and duty, 
lyife is rounding to its noon, 

Full of strength and full of beauty. 
In the perfect light of June. 



THE SONG OF THE KNOLIv 



HkrK the sunlight shimmers. 
Here the moonlight glimmers 
Through the branches green. 
Harsher sounds are stilling, 
Nature's voice is thrilling 
Through the woodland sheen. 



THE SONG OF THE KNOLL 107 

Here the way of beauty 
Is the path of duty 
Dear to nature's heart. 
Roses give their sweetness, 
Summer brings completeness, 
Crowns the work of art. 

lyisten to the whirring, 
I^isten to the stirring 
In the branches fair. 
'Tis the fairies' dwelHng, 
And their songs are swelHng, 
Sweet beyond compare. 

Flocks of clouds are sailing — 
Fleecy masses paling 
Where the sun shines through. 
Far above is given 
Glimpse of dome of heaven 
With its wondrous blue. 



HAI.F-WAY 

As half-way up the hill I stand 
The flowers are fading in my hand. 
Behind, are da3^s of childhood sweet, 
The hours of youth, with flying feet. 

Before, are days of manhood's prime. 

The toiling and the harvest time, 

The summit lying in the sun. 

The Master' s words of cheer — ' ' Well-done ! 

Above, the light of heaven is bright, 
The sun dispels the mists of night, 
Around, the summer hills are green, 
And peaceful are the graves between. 

A smile for friends and comrades tried! 
A tear for dear ones who have died! 
A prayer of trust to God most high! 
We journey upward to the sky! 

io8 



THE TRIO 

In the April month beginning 
All the buds were opening white. 

Earth her fairy robe was winning, 
April days were full of light. 

May, the queen, her throne preparing. 
Fair with blossom, sweet with song, 

All her wealth of beauty wearing, 
Led her merry hours along. 

June comes next upon us beaming. 

Fair and sweet with sunny skies. 

Every day with brightness teeming, 

Every day a new surprise. 
109 



GREETING SONG 

W. S. N. S., June, 1883 

WhkrK we gathered in our youth 
Stores of wisdom and of truth, 
Listen! . Listen! Hear the call! 
' Come, my children, welcome all." 

[chorus] 

' Answer, children, answer me 
With the songs of Jubilee. ' ' 

Glad we come to haunts of old, 
Live again the age of gold, 
When we gained instruction, sweet 
Alma Mater, at thy feet. 

[chorus] 

We have come to answer thee 
With the songs of Jubilee. 



GREETING SONG m 

We are one, in heart and aim; 
We have kept thy vestal flame. 
Over mountain, field and stream, 
All thy watchfires brightly gleam. 

[chorus] 
Strike the chorus; swell the song, 
''We are met, though parted long." 

Meeting! greeting! after years, 
Smiles of welcome answer tears. 
For the missing, memory sweet 
Makes the broken links complete. 

[chorus] 
Strike the chorus; swell the song. 
We shall meet, though parted long. 

Some there are whose sheaves are white, 
Garnered in celestial light, 
Sing for them triumphant strain. 
They have reaped the golden grain. 

[chorus] 
We shall meet beyond the sea. 
Sing the songs of Jubilee. 



112 GREETING SONG 

Meeting! greeting! mother true, 
Karly vows we here renew. 
Thou hast blessed us, and we pray 
Choicest gifts for thee to-day. 

[chorus] 

Choicest gifts we wish for thee 
In thy year of Jubilee. 

Drawn to thee by loving ties, 
May thy thousand children rise, 
Bless thee by their deeds, that shine 
With the light that is divine! 

[chorus] 

Strike the chords at thy decree, 
Swell the songs of Jubilee. 



THE WHITE VEII. 

Translated from the German of 
MoRiTz Hartmann 

TherK lies condemned, bound fast in 

prison, 
A Magyar Count of high degree. 
He was a slave, with slaves uprisen, 
To make himself and his country free; 
He has met his fate and her stern decree. 

This Magyar Count of twenty years 
Is near — O, woful cause for tears! — 
Not death alone, but shameful dying. 
Where birds of prey in wait are flying. 
What! Sleeps he peaceful on his straw, 
A careless child in clutch of law! 

The youth has wept on his mother's breast: 
O, mother, see, thy child returns. 
How soon his hope to ashes bums! 
How soon his name of high behest 
Is wrapped in death's disgraceful night. 
I bravely fought in many a fight; 

"3 



114 '^^^^ WHITE VEIL 

I laid my life on my country's altar; 
But to-morrow, O, mother! to-morrow I 
falter." 

But the mother said, " Tremble not, my 

son., 
I will kneel me down at the Kaiser's 

throne. 
Though his heart were turned to stone, 

indeed, 
He must relent at a mother's need. 
At last, when the gloomy train goes by, 
I will stand on my highest balcony; 
If then I wear black weeds of woe, 
My only child to his death must go. 
Yet, go, my child, with unfaltering pace, 
For thou dost belong to the Magyar race. 

My son, if I wear my snow-white veil. 

Thy pardon is granted. Banish thy sad- 
ness, 

Receive the Emperor's grace with glad- 
ness. 

The powers of death shall not prevail." 



THE WHITE VEIL II5 

Because of this hope the Count can keep 
This night, that is called his last, in sleep. 
In his dreams comes his mother's smiling 

face, 
Enwrapped for him in the snowy lace. 

The hour has struck; and on the street 
The wheels of death are slowly rolling; 
The bells above are sadly tolling. 
He walks in the midst of the tramping feet, 
The flowers and the tears for him are fall- 
ing. 
And maidens' voices of woe are calling, 
But he heeds them not. He looks on high 
Where his mother stands on her balcony. 

O, joy ! For she wears her snow-white veil. 
Now firm is his bearing, nor falters his 

tread. 
He will not tremble. His strength will not 

fail. 
Unflinching he comes to the funeral pile, 
Unflinching meets death with a trusting 

smile. 



Il6 THE ROSEBUD OF THE HEATHER 

And the snow-white veil? O, deceit for 

the dead! 
The mother's heart, breaking, feigned 

hope for her boy. 
That he go to his doom with courage and 

joy, 

And his name with the praise of a hero be 
said. 



THE ROSEBUD OK THE HEATHER 

TRANSI.ATED FROM THE GE^RMAN OF GOFTHB 

Once there bloomed a rosebud sweet, 

Rosebud of the heather. 
Came a boy with flying feet. 
Must the lovely rosebud greet 

In the sunny weather. 
Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red — 

Rosebud of the heather! 



THE ROSEBUD OF THE HEATHER II7 

Said the boy— " I'll gather thee, 

Rosebud, of the heather. ' ' 
Said the rosebud — '' I am free— 
I have thorns to punish thee 

In the fickle weather. ' ' 
Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red — 

Rosebud of the heather! 



Foolish boy to break apart 
Rosebud from the heather! 

Now he suffers endless smart. 

Naught can heal his aching heart, 
All is cloudy weather. 

Rosebud, rosebud, rosebud red — 
Rosebud of the heather! 



JULY 



TO MY FRIEND 

Not when the merry feast is spread, 

And youthful hearts with hope beat high! 

A happier face, a brighter eye 

Be with thee when glad moments fly! 

When laughing words are gaily said- 
Come not to me — my friend. 

Not when the pulse of morn beats fast, 
And youth's bewildering dreams are thine! 
Choose then some soul less sad than mine, 
To taste with thee life's royal wine — 

And while thy joys unbroken last 
Come not to me — my friend. 

Come when the happy feasters go, 
And leave vain echoes in the hall. 
Come when no other voices call — 
Come when the evening shadows fall. 

And all the Hghts of life bum low. 
Come then to me — my friend. 



122 THE SERENADE 

Come when the dreams of youth are broken 
When thou hast failed to meet thy mark, 
And all thy life is in the dark, 
My heart of love shall be thine ark — 

Thy grief the call, although unspoken, 
To come to me — my friend. 



THE SERENADE 
From thk German of Uhi^and 

* ' What blessed music toning sweet, 
From slumber wakens me? 
O, mother, see, in this late hour 
Who may the singers be! " 

"I nothing hear; I nothing see; 
O, slumber on so mild; 
For no one sings this night for thee, 
My poor, sick little child. ' ' 

' * It is not earthly melody 

That moves me with its might, 
The angel-choirs are calling me. 
O, Mother dear, good-night! " 



THE WATER-I.II.IES 

"Consider the IvIwes" 

Tun lilies are pure ; their white, 
Untainted by spot, 
Unsullied by blot, 
Most clearly reflects the heavenly light. 
There's nothing more pure than their petals 

of snow, 
Whose silvery gleams on the waters glow. 

The lilies are sweet; their speech. 
Perfuming the air 
With incense rare, 
Embraces the earth and the sky in its 
reach. 
There's nothing more sweet than the fra- 
grance they give, 
Which makes the world purer wherever they 

live. 

123 



124 THE WATER-LILIES 

The lilies have trust; to the sky- 
Opens each flower 
In the morning hour, 
Then closes in rest when the sun rises 
high. 
When comes on the lake the wind and the 

rain, 
It humbly awaits the sunbeams again. 

The lilies have peace; though the wave 
In anger is high, 
And black is the sky, 
And their home grows as dark and as sad 
as the grave; 
They peacefully float on the lake's throbbing 

breast, 
Their anchorage sure, and their heritage, 
rest. 

The lilies have beauty; and well 
Such whiteness is given 
As emblem of heaven. 
Their fragrance is speech of goodness to 
tell; 



THE WATER-LILIES 125 

Their beauty is type of heavenly things, 
And their white is as fair as an angel's wings. 



The lilies are teachers to show 
What living is meet, 
What dying is sweet; 
For bowing their heads the waters below. 
They peacefully fold each petal in place. 
As they lived in their beauty, they die in 
their grace. 

The lilies are risen — behold! 

In hearts grown lighter, 
In lives made whiter. 
Their petals unstained, and their stamens 
of gold. 
The lilies! the lilies! In deeds may they 

rise, 
And waft their sweet incense of prayer to 
the skies. 



SOWING 



"In the Morning Sow thy Seed, and in 
THE Evening Withhoi^d not Thine Hand " 

Farmkr, sow thy seed with lavish hand, 
Though the harvest not by thee is planned; 
Nor knowest thou which falls in vain, 
And which will render like again; 
Or what, with blessings yet untold, 
Will yield for thee a hundred-fold. 

Teacher, often tried, and sore withstood, 

Faint not; scatter still the seeds of good. 

Though some may fail, yet others sweet, 

Will yield the harvest that is meet. 

And some, with powers of grace untold, 

Will bloom forever — manifold. 
126 



THE HUMMING-BIRD 

Flowers of the blood-red hue 
Bright on the window-sill, 

Fresh with the morning dew, 
Balmy, spicy and still! 

Tokens of fairy things, 

Glimpses of gold and green! 

Flutter and whirr of wings. 
Prettiest ever seen! 

Held in a delicate poise, 
Sipping the sweet of a flower, 

Fleet at the thought of noise. 
Gone to his fairy bower! 

See! He returns to the sweet, 

Hovers in perfect delight; 

Folded his delicate feet, 

Only his wings in sight! 
127 



128 GAIN WITH LOSS 

Less for the earth than for heaven, 
Tenant of boundless space, 

Bodily dream that is given, 
Flitting from heavenly place! 

My flowers have a royal guest 
To greet their banners of red. 

They gave to the world of their best, 
And receive this presence instead. 

And thus, saith a helpful creed. 
Shall souls who give of their best, 

Receive royal gifts as their meed. 
And harbor a heavenly guest. 



GAIN WITH I,OSS 

For every door 
That opes before 
The fates, unkind, 
Close one behind. 



THE EVENING CALLS TO REST 

From the German of Friedrich Gui.1. 

The evening bells are calling 

The weary day to rest. 
The evening shades are falling. 

The birds are in their nest. 

The flowers of fairest seeming 
Have closed their weary eyes; 

In silence they are dreaming 
Beneath the starry skies. 

The ships wait for the morrow, 

In haven by the shore. 
Rest thou from care and sorrow, 

And grieve thy heart no more. 

But trust thy father's keeping. 

Who holds the stars in sight, 

His care will guard thy sleeping, 

And give thee peace at night. 
129 



AUGUST 



THE HEART'S TREASURES 

SOMK treasures we but hold in pride, 
Calling the world to come and gaze— 
Our ornaments we wear for praise, 
Because they shine in sunny days, 

And with us in our joy abide. 

The years go on. Our jewels, fine, 

Have something lost of beauty, bright; 
A shadow falls upon their light, 
Forerunner of the coming night, 

When none will see how fair they shine. 

The years go on. Our white pearl, given 
For purity; and ruby, red, 
For love; and diamonds' truth; shall 

shed 
Their richness when the nights are fled. 
And be our treasures still in heaven. 
133 



ONE STEP 

Oh, rest not now, thou toiler bold, 

Thou who hast climbed all day with pain, 
To pause to-night makes labor vain. 
One step, the summit to attain! 

Thou toiler bold, 

Pause not for ease or gold. 

Oh, rest not now, thou student deep. 

Thou who hast studied through the night, 
The sought- for goal is just in sight. 
Oh, do not miss fair learning's height. 

Thou student deep, 

Pause not for idle sleep. 

Oh, rest not now, thou valiant knight. 
Thou who hast fought an unseen foe. 
Soon shalt thou lay the traitor low. 
Then seize thine arms and string thy bow. 

Thou valiant knight. 

Pause not, but win the fight. 
134 



ONE STEP 135 

Oh, rest not now, thou pilgrim gray— 
Although thy sun of youth is set, 
Still falter not, nor weary yet. 
One step will lead beyond regret. 

Thou pilgrim gray, 

Pause not, but keep thy way. 

Oh, toiler, student, knight and pilgrim 
gray- 
One step — the summit is thine own — 
One step — and wisdom's grace is shone; 
One step — thy foes are overthrown; 
One step — then rest before the throne. 

Oh, pilgrim gray. 

For such achievement, pray! 



SISTER EMMA'S BIRTHDAY 

August 4, 

SwKKT sister mine, 
In life divine, 
We greet thee over there, 
Our love becomes a prayer. 
Remember on thy natal day 
The earth-life that has passed away. 
Give lis a thought from out that sphere. 
Our hearts reach up to love thee, dear. 
136 



IN THE MORNING 

SiivKNT as in darkest night, 
Yet with prophecies of light, 
All the stars in quiet deep, 
IvOok upon the world of sleep. 
Holy calm and silence well 
Hold the earth within their spell, 
Peaceful watching overhead 
Till the day shall dawn instead — 

Busy day 
That shall drive the dreams away, 
Or shall weave them by his might 

Into light. 

There is silence in the heart, 
Where the world can have no part- 
Morning quiet in the soul, 
Where the life is pure and whole. 

137 



138 IN THE EVENING 

Ere the busy hours begin 
Pray they may be free from sin, 
And that guardian angels may 
Aid thee in the work of day — 

Angels may 
Aid thee in the work of day, 
And thy dreams in deeds as sweet 

Be complete. 



IN THE EVENING 

S11.KNT hours come down apace, 
And the weary leave the race. 
All the stars in quiet deep 
Welcome to the world of sleep. 
Heavier the fragrance shed — 
Darker wings of night are spread. 
There is weeping overhead, 
There is weeping for the dead. 

Setting sun 
Shows the work of day is done. 
And the seal of silence set 

Resteth yet. 



THE SEA 139 

Silent tears have left their trace 
On the quiet, aged face, 
But the pleading of the eyes 
Well may stand for prophecies. 
From this side the verge of night, 
Looking out with spirit-sight. 
Where beyond our earthly skies 
Those celestial visions rise, 

Seen afar 
By the wise who watch the star. 
Promising eternal light 

After night. 



THE SEA 



Whkn wilt thou rest, O sea! 

Thou of the restless heart, 
Grand in thy majesty. 

Wailing thy lost, apart! 

Thy sorrows will not cease, 
There is no rest for thee, 

No one to speak thee peace, 
As Christ to Galilee. 



I40 THE SEA 

Ah! thou hast heard when time 
Shall be henceforth no more, 

In the celestial clime 
No ocean-surge will roar. 

Thou, who art now so fair, 
With crested wave in sun, 

Thou, with the heart of care, 
Forever more undone! 

Mighty, and grand and strong, 
Majestic, wild and free, 

Can an eternal song 
Be perfect without thee! 



THE INFINITE 

High up the craggy mountain steep, 

Where pines are towering on high, 
Where mighty earth-born tempests sweep, 

Where close the restful cloud-realms lie; 
We look around with trembling gaze, 

We cannot bear the dizzy sight. 
We hide our eyes in our amaze. 

And shut us wearied from the light. 

Hushed on the shore of mighty sea. 
Where wave on wave rolls out afar. 

Where silence reigns, and mystery. 
Where night and stars and spirits are; 

We look beyond with fearsome awe. 
We cannot understand the sign, 

We wonder at the power of law. 

We question of the love divine. 
141 



[42 THE INFINITE 

The human soul ascends the skies, 

And dares to try the realms untrod, 
And through the Universe descries 

The impress and the thought of God. 
Amazed, abashed, she turns aside; 

How can she bear the wondrous sight! 
Too far she ventured in her pride, 

Where angels walk the fields of light. 

The human soul from earthly shore, 

Descrying far the boundless sea, 
Repeats her watchword o'er and o'er, 

Infinity ! Infinity ! 
She looks till time shall be no more, 

Till countless worlds shall cease to be; 
Her Father's hand unlocks the door. 

Eternity! Eternity! 



STRANDED 

Thk ships with silver sails go by, 
They seek the far-off golden isle, 

Their spars gleam bright against the sky, 
But one is stranded here the while. 

She is not wrecked or marred or torn, 
But strong and beautiful and fair, 

Yet by the shore she waits forlorn. 
Nor hopes the ocean-life to share. 

The breezes kiss her brow in vain. 
The waves woo gently at her feet. 

There is no answering pulse again. 
No longing for a life more sweet. 

Too late ! There is a death in life 
As sad as wrecks in seas gone down. 

Thus souls are stranded from the strife 
Who bear no cross and win no crown. 
143 



THE I.AST WISH 

TRANSI.ATED FROM TH^ GERMAN 
OF E. A. GIESEI.ER 

Onck, in shade of home-roof olden, 
With my gray-haired friend was I — 

Through the treetops saw the golden 
Evening glowing in the sky. 

" All that we in life are trying," 

Hear the old man, musing, say — 

* ' Evening sees it lightly dying 
As the lovely summer-day. 

'' See! our wishes dead are lying; 

Youthful strength has passed away. 
For one gift alone I'm sighing. 
Ere is gone my summer- day — 

' ' Once to yonder mountain fleeing, 
(Where in boyhood oft I lay, 
In the distance faintly seeing 
I^ong and lovely summer-day — 



THE LAST WISH 145 

*' Thence to note on meadow streaming, 
Where the brooklet glides away, 
On the village yonder gleaming 
Wondrous light of summer day. 

" Once again might I but listen 
To the thrushes' distant lay, 
See upon the home-woods glisten 
Long and lovely summer-day! 

** Once again might I but hearken, 
lyearning what the shadows say. 
Till at length the land shall darken 
After one long summer-day! 

" And at last when I am thinking 

Evening shades have come to stay — 
Deepest peace may I be drinking 
After my long summer-day! " 



SEPTEMBER 



SEPTEMBER 

CouNTi^KSS sunny golden-rods, 

Milkweed with its silken pods, 

All the asters purple-eyed, 

Royal in their regal pride, 

Gentian blue with trustful eye, 

I^ooking up to meet the sky, 

Here a touch of gold and red, 

Where the squirrel makes its bed. 

There the snow-white thistle bloom, 

And an air of sweet perfume. 

Purple grape and fruitage rare, 

Apple, peach and plum and pear. 

All unite of summer's best, 

Making early autumn blest. 
149 



MY LOST IDEAL 



I WORSHIPED an idol, bending low, 
For goodness and beauty I loved him so, 
I thought the gift of the hand divine 
Was his fair life beloved of mine. 

Death has not touched my hero blest, 
I hold him still my heart's fond guest; 
No other of all is like to him, 
Yet how is the finest gold grown dim! 

For earth has claimed him, and her trace 
Has dimmed the brightness of his face. 
The spirit-life no more I know, 
I weep for my idol, bending low. 

A little cloud, but it hides the sun! 
A token of night ere day is done! 
A touch of earth on the beauty rare 
Has marred God's perfect image there. 
150 



THE LARGER GIFT 



Merry child, so rich in treasure, 
Rosebuds red and lilies sweet, 

Blessings given without measure 
Make your life with joy complete. 

But a richer gift is offered, 
lyarger life the future brings. 

For the higher treasure proffered 
Put away your childish things. 

Busy man, though much is given, 
When you hear the higher call, 

Losing earth, make choice of heaven, 
Which shall recompense for all. 

151 



ACROSS THE YEARS 



A HAND of love at length appears, 
A hand reached out across the years, 
To bring me youthful treasure green, 
Unmindful of the graves between. 
Alas! It cannot be. The past 
Its wrecks around our feet has cast. 

Of those whose paths together led. 
Ere youthful hopes and dreams were dead, 
Some wander far in lands unknown, 
Where they have learned to live alone. 
Some lie at rest, with cold hands pressed 
Above the quiet of their breast. 

Is life the same ? Can we forget ? 
Will youth's sun rise when it has set? 
lyife's lesson then can we unlearn, 
And to the eastern glory turn? 
Will buried love arise at length. 
Again rejoicing in his strength? 
152 



LOVE DITTY 153 

Ah! no, my friend. Yet thee I greet 
With pleasant memories and sweet. 
We clasp our hands in peace at last 
Across the gulf of sorrows past, 
And looking upward through our tears 
We gain a glimpse of heavenly years. 



LOYB DITTY 

For you I wish: for you I wish 
Sweetest words of any tongue. 
Sweetest words or said or sung — 

Ich liebe dich. Ich Hebe dich. 

For sweeter ne'er: for sweeter ne'er 
Ever fall on willing ear, 
You their melody will hear — 

Je t'aime, ma chere. Je t'aime, ma chere. 

For you I know: for you I know. 
Who will soon my lines repeat, 
Who will speak the words so sweet — 

Sed te amo. Sed te amo. 



EARTHWARD AND HEAVENWARD 

Looking down, you see the olden 

Highway decked with grasses green, 
Gleaming buttercups of golden, 

Shine of sun and shade between. 
Narrow landscape! yet it teaches 

More than you may comprehend, 
And its lowliest grass blade reaches 

Unto marvels without end. 

Looking up, you see the arbor 

Of the branches, million-leaved, 
Where, the happy birds to harbor. 

Thick the reddened vines are wreathed. 
Higher still the stars are gleaming. 

Far within the sky's deep blue. 
All your soul is filled with dreaming. 

All the worlds have talked with you. 

Looking down, you see your labor, 
Care of love and recompense. 

Duties owed to friend and neighbor, 
All the active present tense ; 
154 



IN TENEBRIS 155 

Seems it narrow, yet so glows it, 
With the light supernal given, 

And eternity so shows it, 
It will beautify your heaven. 

lyooking up, you see the glory 

Of the life with Christ divine, 
Read the meaning of the story 

Where the sacred beacons shine. 
Higher still beyond your reading, 

In the realms you cannot see. 
Thither life for you is leading. 

And it means — eternity. 



IN TENEBRIS 

Shadow of a lowl}^ grave, 
Lying sad and lying deep, 

Where the purest lilies wave. 
Where the human lilies sleep! 

Solemn shadow, 
Lying still and lying deep. 
Where we laid our loved to sleep 



NIRVANA 



TransIvATed from the German of 
B. A. GlESEIvER 

WhkrK far the light, blue billow of 

Narandschana flows, 
Where deep within the woodland the 

magic flower grows, 
There sits within the shadow upon a 

moss-grown stone 
Siddartha, son of Maya, in earnest thought 

alone. 

Far from the human nations, alone with 
nature's heart, 

He sought to read life's problem, so 
deeply hid by art; 

And as the wavelet murmuring around 
his footsteps broke. 

He upward looked, and lightly unto him- 
self he spoke. 

156 



NIRVANA 157 

' As yonder restless billows on billows leave 

no trace, 
And as one pathway cometh another to 

efface, 
So races follow races, and one by one do 

we 
Sink down within the trackless; the deep, 

eternal sea. 



"The stream rolls on forever. We in an 

instant die. 
We sink away in silence as fast the waves 

goby, 
lyike them we gleam in splendor within 

the sun's short light; 
In nothingness then sinking, we vanish 

from the sight. ' 



THE ''STILL, SMALL VOICE" 

Our joys make haste in glad array- 
To fill with smiles the happy day. 
On every side the voices call; 
We have not time to heed them all. 
What wonder that sometimes we miss 
The tones that speak of better bliss! 
O, wondrous voice, so low and sweet, 
Thy words of love and peace repeat! 

The years grow sad. The voices wail. 
A sob is heard in every gale. 
Now all the happy past is gray; 
The world to ashes turned to-day. 
Along the line of hopeless years 
The voices sadly blend with tears. 
In wayward grief we scarcely know 
The tones that call us from our woe. 
15S 



A GLIMPSE 159 

There comes a silence in our heart, 
Where worldly cares no more have part. 
Ah! dim and dead, and far away 
Are all that made earth's little day. 
Alone! Alone! where none may reach. 
Is vaster thought than findeth speech, 
Where weary feet the heights have trod, 
And waiting souls have talked with God. 



A GLIMPSE 



Wb have seen the " Promised Land,' 
Beautiful and fair and grand. 
In our dreaming had a vision 
Of eternal fields — elysian. 

But the mystery is unread. 
Till by Sleep's sad brother led. 
All our dreamland yields instead 
To the kingdom of the dead. 



BE TRUE TO THE DREAMS 
OF THY YOUTH 

Skiks are black, in place of blue, 
And the world has lost its truth, 

Yet, O man! be true, be true 
To the visions of thy youth. 

'Twixt the light behind, before, 
Walking in the midst of strife; 

Though the glory comes no more, 
Patient, live a noble life. 

All the work that comes to yon, 
Do in earnestness and truth. 

All thy life, O man! be true 
To the dreamings of thy youth. 

i6o 



**I WILL GIVE YOU REST" 

SwBKTKR words were never spoken — 
From the Master — precious token — 
Balm for hearts by sorrow broken — 
Gift of rest! 

Earthly joys, alas! are fleeting, 
Parting follows every greeting. 
Weary hearts with restless beating 
Long for rest. 

Seeker, tired of worldly pleasure — 
Here is peace beyond earth's measure; 
Here is found the heavenly treasure; 
Here is rest. 

i6i 



OCTOBER 



OCTOBKR 

Th^ queen of autumn comes apace, 
A lovely queen, and full of grace. 
The leaves grow bright beneath her tread. 
A golden glory gilds her head. 
But summer's blossoms, bright and sweet. 
Are fading now beneath her feet. 
The willow-leaves adown the rills; 
The yellow maples on the hills; 
The tawny oaks of darker hue, 
With rays of sunlight gleaming through; 
Five-finger vines of brightest red, 
Where richest glow of sun is shed; 
The green of pines, where Nature's song 
Makes music when the night is long; 
The red-hued berries, bitter-sweet, 
Of human hearts the emblem meet; 
Among the leaves the chestnuts brown, 
Now slowly, softly dropping down; 
All these in mellow, dreamy haze 
Give welcome to October days. 
165 



THE YEAR IS OIvD 

The) year is old: the springtime hours 
Have vanished with the Mayday flowers, 
When fleecy clouds were overhead, 
And underneath bright petals spread. 

The year is old: the summer grain 
Is garnered from the autumn rain; 
And all the perfect autumn store 
Of fruitage now is seen no more. 

The year is old: the glorious crown 
Of maple leaves is floating down; 
And all the dreamy autumn haze 
Has vanished with October days. 

The year is old: its work is done; 

It rests beneath a setting sun. 

The winds will wail its requiem sweet; 

The snows will weave its winding sheet. 

i66 



MY MOTHER'S BIRTHDAY 



Sunday, October 4, 

October, queen of autumn, breathes 
The fragrance of her garnered sheaves, 

As o'er her favored hills she wreathes 
Her many-colored crown of leaves. 

Through woodland rifts the sunbeams shine, 
The gentian hfts its eyes of blue. 

The Indian pipe beneath the pine 
Shows silver-white with paUid hue. 

The * ' ladies' tresses ' ' in the grass, 
And in the sun the golden-rod, 

Nod greetings to us as we pass. 
The star-flowers beckon from the sod. 
167 



1 68 Air MO THER'S BIR THDA Y 

The purple asters hold their sway- 
In royal colors richly dressed. 

The world is very fair to-day, 
Adorned as at a king's behest. 

Soon must the beauteous flowers lie low; 

The heart beat faint within their breast 
Soon will the winding-sheet of snow 

Enfold them in their wintry rest. 

When rest is o'er, the birds will sing, 
The chain of ice will melt away; 

Then will there dawn another spring; 
The flowers will bloom another da}^ 

So run the seasons round and round, 
The work, the rest, the beauty given — 

And through their changes men have found 
A symbol sweet of things of heaven. 

If one who breathes celestial air 

Should count the earthly seasons still, 

And, looking down, behold how fair 
Our earth remains in spite of ill, 



MY MO THER'S BIR THDA Y 1 69 

Perhaps this world might claim her yet, 
This one bright day of leaves and flowers, 

Her birthday here — in memory set 
Amidst the jewels of earth's hours. 

Oh, come to-day from heights of heaven 
To see the woods and hills again! 

This holy day of all the seven 
The angels best may walk with men. 

Our hearts would gladly greet thee now; 

To-day exchange thy world for this. 
Come with heaven's light upon thy brow, 

And earth shall sadden not thy bliss. 

Come, see thy home beloved of yore; 

Smile by the graves v/here thou hast wept. 
Karth's bitter tears are thine no more; 

Thou and thy mourned alike have slept; 

Alike have waked in other spheres 
Beyond our power of thought or sight, 

Where, looking back o' er " vanished years, ' ' 
They see the ways of God are right. 



lyo MV MOTHER'S BIRTHDA Y 

We cannot bring our gifts to-day — 
Our symbols of remembrance sweet, 

Yet for thee still we dare to pray 

That God will make th}^ joy complete: 

That when our saflds of life are run, 
And earth has faded from our sight, 

We too may meet beyond the sun 
Where God's own presence giveth light. 



GAINED 

Treasure gladly gained 

Fading soon away, 
By a touch profaned, 

Pleasure of a day, 
Ruined in our grasp 

Like a broken toy; 
Dead within our clasp. 

Frail and fleeting joy! 



MISSED 



Treasure never given, 

Only promised good, 
Perfected in heaven, 

Here misunderstood, 
Gleaming in the night, 

When the day is o'er, 
With a starry light, 

Fadeless evermore! 

171 



NOVEMBER 



NOVEMBER 

Thb rustling leaves beneath our tread; 
A royal carpet richly spread; 
Bare twigs that rest against the sky; 
Brown hills afar where shadows lie; 
A slanting sun across the field, 
Where late was gleaned the harvest yield; 
A sky of mingled blue and gray, 
That melts in peaceful white away; 
A line of light above the hill; 
A frost on meadow gleaming chill; 
Slow falling of the Autumn rain; 
And fairy tracings on the pane; 
By all these tokens is it shown 
November comes to claim her own. 
175 



THE AUTUMN HEART 



TransIvATEd from the German of 
EmanueIv Geibei* 

WouivD it were only cheeks that fade 
When Autumn- time anears! 

Alas! the blight is deeper made; 
The heart grows old with years. 

Alas! when noisy youth is still, 
When sight grows sad and cold, 

The heart forgets the eager will, 
Forgets the love of old. 

Although the gems of wit may flow 

From lips grown wise and bold, 
It is as when the grasses grow 

Above the graveyard mold. 

176 



THE A UTUMN HEAR T 177 

The nights are come, of darkened years 

The idle glimmers die. 
Our heart is seeking now for tears. 

The fount of tears is dry. 

We are so poor; so wearied now, 

We scarce know why. We only seem 

To feel the withered heart and brow. 
Our joy was but a dream. 



HOW FAIR IS THK RHINE 

TRANSI.ATED FROM THK GERMAN OF 
C H. SCHNAUFFER 

Though praises the Tyrol 

His Tyrol so well, 
To me is left only 

The Rhineland to tell. 
O, splendid and noble 

The mountain -peaks shine; 
But friendly and loving 

And fair is the Rhine. 

The torrent there washes 

The earth from the flowers: 
Here waters the vineyards 

And blesses the bowers. 
Where gushes so' sparkling 

A river as mine ? 
How friendly and loving 

And fair is the Rhine! 

Though yonder with cattle 

The mountain-maids roam; 

178 



HOW FAIR IS THE RHINE 179 

Yet here are the maidens 

Of love and of home. 
Here sweetly love whispers 
" I always am thine! " 
How friendly and loving 

And fair is the Rhine! 

The herdsman is singing 

Afar on the hill. 
Here freedom is ringing, 

Inspiring us still. 
The people are learning 

At liberty's shrine. 
How friendly and loving 

And fair is the Rhine! 

For me, I love only 

The Rhineland so well; 
I leave to the Tyrol 

Its praises to tell. 
For splendid and noble 

Its mountain-peaks shine, 
But friendly and loving 

And fair is the Rhine. 



THE WAY OF THORN 

Whkr:^ flowers are blooming sweet 

About the pilgrim's feet, 

And sunshine fills the road 

To the divine abode, 

Is that thy path, my friend? 

The way I choose for thee 

In prayer on bended knee? 

I dare not choose, my friend. 

Where shadows darkly fall 
And sorrow's voices call, 
Where darkness fills the way 
That leads to perfect day, 
Is that thy path, my friend? 
It is the way of thorn 
That leadeth to the morn. 
I dare not choose, my friend. 

Afar in sunset's rift 
The heavenly hills uplift, 
The gates of God unfold 
Upon the streets of gold. 

I So 



THE WAY OF THORN l8i 

They stand in white array 
Who came by thorny way, 
Led forth by Christ, their King, 
Through holy suffering. 

I dare not choose, my friend, 
I dare not choose, and yet — 
Could I but see the light 
Beyond these vales of night, 
Have but a glimpse before, 
When "Time shall be no more *' — 
The hardest lesson set 
Within the book of life; 
Of sorrow, toil and strife: 
Because I love thee best 
Might be my heart's request. 
It is the way of thorn 
That leadeth to the morn, 
lyose not that morn, my friend! 
When paths of grief we tread, 
And mourn beside our dead, 
God give us grace, my friend! 



SORROWS 



THINE) 



Think to mourn the early dead! 
Wilt tliou not be comforted ? 
Faded from the sky its light, 
When that face of waxen white, 
Having lost its rosy bloom, 
Rested in the silent tomb! 



MINK 

Mink to mourn who in his youth 
Left the way of right and truth — 
Happ3^ had he fallen asleep, 
Kre he missed the angels' keep! 
Friend, the lilies wreathe thy cross; 

Mine is an eternal loss ! 

182 



RIGHT AND LEFT 

On thy right the waters still 
Flowing from the heavenly hill! 
On thy right the pastures green, 
Where the tree of life is seen ! 
On thy right the narrow way 
Leading upward to the day! 
'Tis the path where mountains rise 
Till their summits reach the skies. 

On thy left the poison glade, 
With its gloom}' , dreadful shade! 
On thy left the deadly air 
Blighting all the fruitage fair! 
On thy left the downward slope 
Leading from the hills of hope! 
'Tis the path that openeth 
Broadly to the gates of death. 

Choose the right, and be thou blest. 
Choose the right, and iind thy rest. 
Tempted one, look up to heaven, 
Where the help of God is given. 
183 



i84 THE LOVE OF GOD 

Shun the flowers of poison breath; 
Shun the road that leads to death. 
Seek the better way divine 
Where celestial glories shine. 



THE I.OVB OF GOD 

Or joy, or grief, whate'er betide 
Within His heart our cares abide. 
He gives us peace. He gives us rest, 
And in His love our souls are blest. 

We bless Him, crown Him, love Him now: 
In deepest reverence lowly bow, 
And raise our hearts to Him above. 
Who holds the worlds within His love. 

His love will never change or wane; 
It is the joy of heaven's refrain; 
It moves all hearts the years along 
To join the everlasting song. 



THE LOVE OF GOD 185 

The golden heights of heaven resound, 
And all the depths of space profound 
Forever bless the king of might, 
Encircled by eternal light. 

We offer now our lowly part — 
The incense of a grateful heart; 
It rises to His heart above, 
And we are kept in lasting love. 



AUTUMN I.ESSONS 

Thk mists arise and float away 

Beneath the morning's light. 
How fair, this glory of a day 

That fadeth in a night! 

Late blooming flowers of blue awake 

To meet the sun's slant rays; 
To whisper hope for human sake, 

And die with autumn days. 

The flowers must die. The good they 
taught 

In human hearts survives. 
The blue must fade. The trust it brought 

Will bloom in better lives. 

The leaves must fall. Their lessons sweet 
For winter months are given. 

The autumn's fairest days are fleet, 
Yet give a glimpse of heaven. 

i86 



so QUICKLY FALLS THE NIGHT 

So fast the shadows fall! 

So quickly comes the night 
With clouds that shut out all 

The glad day's vanished light! 

And we with work undone, 

And idle hands at rest, 
Mourn vainly for the sun 

That vanished in the west. 

So quickly falls the night! 

We thought to fill our day 
With noble deeds and bright, 

Before it passed away. 

We thought we would be wise, 
On golden fruitage feed, 

Win favor in their eyes 
Who all the nations lead. 
187 



1 88 SO QUICKL Y FALLS THE NIGHT 

We thought to climb on high 
Above the dusty street, 

To live anear the sky . 

In peace and calm complete. 

We built our castles tall, 
In distant, sunny Spain — 

Fair castles doomed to fall 
And ne'er to rise again! 

So quickly Comes the night! 

We sit with folded hands 
And wait for other light 

To shine on other lands. 



We wait with goal unwon, 
The night comes down apace. 

So soon withdraws the sun 
The glory of his face! 

Come, Death, from out thy hiding-place 
And tell us — Have we lost the race? 



THE FIRST SNOW 



TRANSI.ATED FROM THE GERMAN 
OF MORITZ HARTMANN 

WhkrB the early snow is lying 

Trees were decked with emerald rare; 

Where the early dreams are dying, 
Hearts were filled with fancies fair. 

Snows must melt, the power revealing 
Of the sunshine, bright and strong. 

Ah! bright angel, come with healing 
For the wounds of woe and wrong. 
189 



THK EVII. GENII 

I WANDERKD in the gloomy woods alone; 
The ghosts of sin arose about my way. 
My soul was filled with dread; I could not 

pray. 
I, fearful, asked their names and dread 

intent. 

One gave reply: "We are the lost of 

heaven, 
The rulers of the depths of hell below. 
Our names were written once in lines of 

light, 
But darkened now with brand of sin and 

death. 
Our leaders ? We are known as Vice and 

Pride, 
And Envy, Malice, Hate — the friends of 

war — 
The hosts of hell. In numbers we outrun 

The yellow sands along the shining shores. 

190 



THE EVIL GENII 191 

We hate our rulers, but we love to rule. 

We conquer man, and drive him down the 
deeps. 

What didst thou say! He will not go! 
But see 

The fighting crowds that fill the broad- 
ening path! 

Man hastens to his doom as to a feast. 

He is beguiled by pleasure's soft deceits, 

Or lure of gold, or fatal thirst for drink, 

Enticing fruitage of the tree forbidden. 

'He questions not. He is a ready victim. 

Ah! We can weave bright garlands for 
our chosen. 

We teach our slaves to wear their chains 
like crowns. 

We take the guise of angels when we will. 

We play their harps; we wear their robes 
of white. 

Man does not miss the soul of joy within 

Until the outraged heavens are lead above, 

And prayers and tears alike are unavail- 
ing. 



192 THE EVIL GENII 

* ' Man does not fear the heart of ashes, hid 
Within the fruit of gold. He does not heed 
The vipers crawhng slow beneath the 

vines. 
He breathes the poison-flowers, whose 

breath is blight. 
He thinks their fragrancy a charm against 
Their blasting. Grapes grow purpling in 

the sun, 
From which we press the juices bright and 

red. 
For every draught we mingle, man shall 

pay 
In drops of life-blood. He shall drink and 

die. 



' We turn all blessings into curses — all 
Fair things to foul, and heaven itself to 

hell. 
A fell unrest still drives us through the 

earth. 
The man we bind shall never rest again. 
His smile is but a mask henceforth. His 

bloom 



THE EVIL GENII 193 

Of innocence is gone. Our touch is blight. 

We hate mankind — the dupes — the would- 
be knaves, 

The fools with devil-hearts and idiot- 
heads! 

"We chain them down to sordid earth, and 
make 

Them love their fetters well. They cul- 
ture weeds, 

And fling their flowers upon the dusty 
street. 

They build them hovels for their souls, 
and burn 

The palaces that were their ancient birth- 
right. 

They tear God's image from their hearts 
of sin, 

And offer incense to the priests of hell. 

*'We sow the wrong; man waters it with 
tears, 
And reaps the harv-^est through eternal 
years. 



194 ^-^^ ^K//. GENII 

He barters love for hate, and right for 

wrong, 
And crowns for chains and heaven itself 

for hell. 
His use of freedom sets the worlds aghast. 
The devils tremble and the angels weep. 
Ah! How we joy to see the angels weep! 
A3'e! let them weep through all the ages; 

for 
Their tears can never quench the fires of 

hell." 



• Man shall be warned," I cried, " you have 
confessed 

The woful wrong, and I will tell him all. ' ' 

The woods re-echoed with satanic mirth. 

'Thou simple one! Of what avail thy 
words, 

Where the celestial powers have warned in 
vain! 

Man's very nature warns him, for his 
soul 

Was made too high to sin and not to suf- 
fer. 



THE EVIL GENII 195 

"He goes unheeding, not unwarned, to 

death. 
He casts his gifts upon the stream of 

time, 
And lets them float for aye beyond his 

reach. 
His sin, for which he cannot hope forgive- 
ness, 
Is that he will not listen to the voices 
That call from mounts of blessing and of 

cursing. 
For even God has striven with man in 

vain. 
And prayed him to be saved. What can 

He more ? 



' But look adown the tide of years for warn- 
ings 

Among the wrecks that strew the shores 
of time. 

See hopes that burn to ashes; bitter hearts; 

The dead by drink; the nations slain by 
sin; 

Remorse that stalks amidst eternal ruins, 



ig6 THE EVIL GENII 

"But few the ships that sink on hidden 
shoals! 

The buoys are thickly set where souls went 
down. 

The saintly ones beseech and beg and pray 

The sin-sick but to lift their eyes for heal- 
ing. 

God's mercy pleads; but dying eyes are 
dim. 

The darkness falls. The sinning souls 
are ours. 

*' Has man found sin so sweet? In sooth, I 

know not. 
When we were fallen from heaven we 

held ourselves 
The veriest fools of all the universe. 
But then there were no men on earth — 

poor men — 
Clay-made, to harden in the fires of hell." 

At this the dreadful voice of doom was 

drowned 
In shrieks of hideous laughter through the 

woods. 



THE EVIL GENII 197 

The thunder pealed above. The floods 

outpoured. 
The night was full of terrors. Fiery 

gleams 
Athwart the sky showed slippery paths 

of pride, 
Down which the shining angels fell from 

heaven. 

When next I saw again the homes of men 
Alight with joy and love, I marvelled 

much; 
If God could not redeem His souls from 

doom. 
He did not strike the world that once was 

His, 
And make a darkness 'midst the lamps of 

heaven. 



THK GOOD GENII 

Thk sun was sending light adown the 

slope. 
The trees were shining with their pearls 

of dew. 
The air was filled with breath of flowers 

and song. 
I watched the sunbeams gliding through 

the shades, 
Until my eyes were opened, and I saw 
The angel-forms that filled the place with 

light. 
Their regal -beauty was not born of earth. 
The joy of heaven and her glorious days 
Have made them fair above all earthly 

things. 

My soul was moved to love this heavenly 

beauty, 

To see that highest good of which this 

glory 

198 



THE GOOD GENII 199 

Was but the seal and sign. I hid my face 
In my amaze, and sank abashed to earth. 
I felt a touch that was a benediction. 
I heard a voice revealing hoi}' things. 

"We bear the light of heaven. It is so 

near 
We have but crossed its shining threshold 

o'er — ■ 
The messengers of God, to lead this earth, 
That fell astra}^ — back to the paths of day 
Where God's fair angels walk in white 

array. 

**Our leaders — Love and Life — guide well 

our steps. 
We are their chosen band. Men call us 

Peace 
And Charity, Philanthropy and Good 
And Meekness, that shall win the earth at 

last 
For God. We are in numbers more than 

drops 
That fill the hoary seas with shining 

pearls. 



200 THE GOOD GENII 

' ' Man has been tempted from his first estate. 
We come with loving hearts and helping 

hands 
To lift him from the ways of sin and death. 
We bring the branch of healing and the 

palm 
Of victory. For sin and death shall die. 
'Tis only attributes of God can live 
Throughout the ages, shining like His 

suns. 

"We pity man who sins and suffers much. 
Already much is lost. But we are come 
To lift him up, to save him from his sin, 
That he may see his loved and lost again. 
May yet redeem his treasure from its grave. 
May trample evil down, and choose the 

right. 
May live a loyal life for good and God. 

' ' We come to tell how God, the father, loves; 
To plead with man; to tear his idols 

down; 
To lead him by all beauty and delight; 



THE GOOD GENII 2oi 

To lead him by all grief that purifies 
His heart and opens wide its doors toward 
heaven. 

"We win our way but slowly on the earth, 
Yet we are sure that right shall reign at 

last. 
Our harps at last shall strike the chorus 

glad, 
And all creation's hosts shall join the 

song. 
There comes at last the golden age of 

good, 
Revolving with its thousand years of 

peace. 

"We cannot fail. Mankind is ours, and we 
Are Christ's and Christ is God's. The 

world is His. 
He made it. He redeemed it from its sin. 
And He will keep it through the countless 

years. 

"The light is more than darkness. Love is 
more 



202 THE GOOD GENII 

Than hate. The hosts of heaven are 

stronger than 
The ranks of hell. The good is more than 

ill. 
The right has innate strength to conquer 

wrong. 
Our God is greater than the puny arms 
That try to raise against Him, strength 

He gave. 

' ' Shall God be conquered ? Shall He lose 
His own ? 
Thrice His already! By creative might 
That framed them — By redeeming love 

that saved, 
And by the holy power that moves their 

hearts, 
Which never rest except they rest in 
Him! 

"We sing of 'Peace on earth, good will to 
men.' 
All war shall cease. The ranks of wrong 
shall die. 



THE GOOD GENII 203 

The world is God's. He comes to claim 
His own. 

Ah! Happy world, attuned again to 
song! 

Again the morning-stars shall sing to- 
gether. 

Again the lights of heaven shall shine 
undimmed; 

When earth, redeemed from sin, and 
called of God, 

Shall take her place among the shining 
spheres. 



' O, world of woe, so fair, though fallen low. 
What wilt thou be when God hath cleansed 

thy sin ? 
Baptized thee with the Holy Ghost and 

fire? 
Thou shalt be worthy of thy place in 

heaven, 
When on thy forehead thy new name is 

written. 
Thy holy name, known but to thee and 

God. 



204 THE GOOD GENII 

For thou art heir of kingdoms through 
His grace. 

' ' When wilt thou take thy grand inheri- 
tance ? 
When wilt thou take the proffered love of 

Him 
Who loved thee first and best, and always, 

whom 
The angel-hosts adore — thy Father — God? 
Then will the universe rejoice — and He 
Who called thee from the void, will look 

again 
Upon His work and see that it is * good,' 
His image formed complete in every soul! 
All gathered blessed by the tree of life 
That blooms within the paradise of God! ' ' 

A thousand happy echoes caught the 

words. 
White wings were moving fair along the 

sky. 
Then heaven was opened and the angels 

passed 
Beyond my sight within the gates of gold. 



MY CASTLE 205 

When next I saw again the homes of men, 
Ahght with joy and love, I raised to God 
A prayer of praise for all the gifts He 

gives; 
And most of all for hope of holiness. 
Immortal life and blessedness, and love 
That leaves no darkness 'midst the lamps 

of heaven. 



MY CASTLE 



I BUILT my castle tall and strong. 
I built to last the ages long. 
I said— " Such love as this of mine 
Is perfect as the love divine." 

My tower has crumbled in a day; 
Its broken pillars strew the way. 
I built on ashes, sand and dust; 
I built for earth. Its bloom is rust. 



DECEMBER 



TO MY BROTHER 



December 4 — 

My brother, in the heavenly spheres, 
Where time is counted not by 3^ears; 
Behold our world that turning round 
Thy day of birth again hath found. 

We count the time from sun to sun. 
As seasons in their cycles run. 
With thee it is eternal light. 
Thy day can never yield to night. 

My brother, thou wilt not forget 
This orb with da3'S and seasons set. 
Our light leads on through countless 

space. 
Thine is the loving Father's face. 



2IO NEAR AND FAR 

We count the years that make tis old, 
While heavenly joys to thee unfold. 
Eternal youth to thee is given; 
Eternal love is thine in heaven. 

. We also, brother, have a share 
Of blessing and of answered prayer, 
In love that knows nor space nor age; 
In heaven — our common heritage. 



NEAR AND FAR 

Dear heart, what is there but love 
While the seas moan out in the night ? 

And the stars encircling above 
Send arrowy gleams of light? 

Sit closer, my dear one, my own 

' Neath shadows of night and of cloud. 

Nor tremble, though billows may moan. 

And the waves rage fiercely and loud. 



NEAR AND FAR 21 1 

My dear one, my heart is glad. 

I hold you so close to my breast — 
But you — you are sighing and sad. 

I offer you love's own rest. 

His name! Why, my precious, I thought — 
Did he follow you over the seas ? 

Love's jewels can never be bought, 
Nor slighted love's lightest decrees. 

Time and space are between you, I know. 

They are naught. I must understand. 
You are his, w^herever he go. 

It is I who am lone in the land. 

Yet, darling, his jewel, his star— 
I've suffered so much — do you hear? 

The arms that enfold you are far. 
The heart that you long for is near. 

Did you think I would keep you from him ? 

I love you too well. Though I die, 
I will not 5^our happiness dim. 

I love you and leave you — good-bye. 



**YOUR HOUSE IS LEFT UNTO 
YOU DESOI.ATE" 

Yka, desolate! The rooms are still 

Whence merry tones are fled 
Where phantoms all the chambers fill, 
And wander at their own sweet will, 
Were borne away my dead. 

I watch and wait, with tables spread, 

And all the doors I ope. 
I listen for a coming tread. 
It cannot bring me back my dead. 

It bears away my hope. 

My heart is as my house — alone; 

Its mirth and hope have fled. 
It hears no answer from its own; 
Its singing-birds of youth have flown; 

Its loves are with the dead. 



VISUM RE TRORSUM 2 1 3 

The welcome waits — the love- feast spread, 

Poor foolish heart — in vain! 
In vain your tears of grief are shed. 
There is no waking for your dead. 

The soul of love is slain. 



VISUM RKTRORSUM 

Bring back those dreams of mine, 

All rosy-tinted in the light. 
Bring back the love that seemed divine, 

Yet faded in the night. 

Bring back the joys of youth, 

When all the world was fair to see. 

Bring back my early faith in truth 
And immortality. 

The blue of skies was near. 

Sweet were the flowers and mossy beach. 
The world was new and bright and dear, 

And heaven within my reach. 



214 VISUM RE TROSUM 

Now all is written o'er 

With lines of pain and loss and blight, 
With sorrow for what comes no more, 

With terror of the night. 

What if one came to say, 

As one who knows — " I bring thee cheer. 
The night but ushers in the day. 

God leads thee. Have no fear! " 

From slope of Olivet, 

Where God did not withhold his best, 
Across the ages echoes yet — 
' ' Come unto me — and rest. ' ' 



THK BEAUTIFUL PAST 

Its sorrows are melting away, 

Though our hearts were broken one day. 

The Healer has come to stay. 

In the mists they are fading at last — 

The griefs of the beautiful past. 

O, thou wonderful, charmed shore, 
Where is learned joy's mystical lore, 
And we laugh at the troubles of yore! 
The shadows are transient. The sunshine 
must last, 

For this is the way with the beautiful past. 
215 



"THERE FKLIy A GREAT STAR 
FROM HEAVEN" 



I SAW a falling star 

Shoot downward from the sky, 
The heavenly glories far, 

The gleaming radiance die. 

A starry path of light! 

A darkened way before ! 
Down sinking in the night. 

Its time of beauty o'er! 

Alas! for falling star, 

Ivight fading on its track! 

No glory from afar 
Can call the wanderer back. 

I saw a human soul, 

Made in God's image bright, 
That spurned His wise control 

And fell into the night. 



THE BE A UTIFUL PAST 2 1 7 

It missed the golden gate; 

It did not run its race; 
Yet, groping now, too late — 

Its pathway would retrace. 

Alas! for human soul; 

Were not a helper given, 
The while the ages roll 

To lead thee back to heaven! 



FI^ITTING 

Birds come flitting, flitting by, 
Swift of wing and sweet of song. 

lyights are changing as they fly — 
Birds that will not linger long. 

What are they but fancies sweet, 

Visions flitting in a dream! 
Rainbow bubbles dancing fleet 

Down life's dark and wayward stream? 

Many colors brightly gleam, 
Wings of blue across the sky ! 

Rays of golden light that stream 
From the glory throned on high! 

Snatches here and glimpses there! 

Songs that vanish up the height! 
Colors woven in the air, 

Fading darkly in the night! 



FLITTING 219 

Slow and trembling is our tread. 

Shadows lie within the vale. 
We have laid away our dead. 

We have heard the mourners wail. 

Though we w^alk a darkened way, 
May these glimpses of the light 

Guide us to the better day 

In the land that knows no night! 

May we trust our visions sweet, 

Symbols proving to the wise 
Prophecies of life complete. 

And of love that never dies! 



A CORDB AD COR 

Do you listen to me, dear, 
Calling night and day ? 

In the silence can you hear 
Thoughts I do not say ? 

Read the words I cannot speak, 
Have no need of sign. 

Be for me a seer to seek 
Marks of love divine ? 

Nature's voices call the seer, 
With their joy and grief. 

With devotion let him hear; 
Other ears are deaf. 

Every leaf of Nature's book 
Shineth bright for him. 

With devotion let him look; 
Other eyes a^e dim. 



A CORDE AD COR 22: 

Let him live in Nature's heart. 

She hath made him wise, 
Shown to him her healing art, 

Oped his spirit-eyes. 

Are we seers that we should know 

What this Wisdom saith ? 
Love doth teach us as we go 

By the gates of death. 

Grief hath schooled us, and we read 

Eyes beyond our sight. 
Hearts that answer to our need, 

Love beyond our night. 

We shall hear, although the strife 

Filleth all the air. 
We shall read the inner Hfe, 

Know the secrets there. 

We shall see, although the land 

Raise its weight between. 
We shall meet and understand 

In the sunset sheen. 



222 A CORDE AD COR 

Can I miss you in the race, 
Near the goal at last ? 

Can I lose you in that place 
Where the earth is past ? 

As face answers unto face, 
When our hearts are whole, 

Thus beyond in heavenly space 
Soul responds to soul. 



A BIRTHDAY THOUGHT 

FivEKTKR, fleeter fly the years, 
Close the mile-stones line the way ; 

And the path before appears 
On the hills that meet the day. 

Fading leaves lie on the track 
Where the roses once were red; 

And the shadows gather black 

Where of old the feasts were spread. 

Yet, perchance, the good is caught 
Upward' by immortal strength. 

And the work that man has wrought 
Shall bear golden fruit at length. 

Higher, higher, towards the skies, 
Trusting, blessed, let us climb 

Where earth's happy mountains rise 

To the heavenly heights sublime. 

223 



CHRISTMAS KVK 



Transi^ated from thk German oe 
c. h. schnaufeer 

Oni.y hour left free of burden 
And an evening sweet of rest — 

Once a year I take thy guerdon. 
Welcome thjou, and be thou blest! 

Now a cup of fairest seeming, 

Strewn with pearls my heart to bless, 

I am drinking. I am dreaming, 
And I drink to happiness. 

Flames are dancing like an ocean, 

Sending fiery billows here, 

And with laughing, graceful motion 

Drawing many dear ones near. 
224 



CHRISTMAS E VE 225 

On the walls the shadows flying, 
Chase themselves so quickly by — 

Lightly each with other vying — 
Fain to hold, I vainly try. 

Not from earthly dwellings fleeting 
Come these messengers of love; 

Come to give me friendly greeting 
Gentle vSpirits from above. 

See my friend of promise rarest, 

One who in the struggle fell. 
Yielding up earth's best and fairest, 

With a patience none can tell. 

See the faces, pure and holy. 

With the myrtle-wreath caressed — 

My two sisters, sweet and lowly, 

With the spring-flowers on their breast. 

It- 

Who this day comes to me mildly, 

Loving looks me in the eye, 
Draws my heart to him so kindly ? 

For his sake I fain would die. 



226 A PRAYER 

'Tis my father. O, this vision, 
Heart in heart and life in Hfe! 

'Tis the star of gates elysian 
I/Cads my soul above the strife. 

I^et me rest. O, leave me dreaming! 

'Tis to me a blessed truth 
That in flames I see the seeming 

Of the happy days of youth. 



A PRAYKR 



Our Father, for the good and sweet 
In the dear year that dies to-night. 
For all the blessings we shall greet, 
When comes to us the morning's light. 
We thank thee. All by thee are given- 
The years of earth, the hopes of heaven. 



A PRAYER 227 

So swiftly fly the rapid years, 

With shine and shade, with smiles and 

tears, 
So short is life — so poor are we! 
The night draws on. We cannot see. 
Dear God, unite the here and there. 
Bind earth and heaven with words of 

prayer. 

O, give us life abundantly! 
Oj give us love eternally! 
Give us our own — beyond the sea — 
Our loved and lost who live with Thee. 
Give us Thyself, Thy grace, Thine aid. 
God help us: We are sore afraid. 
Give us the word of truth — God saith — 
And make us conquerors of Death. 



THE OLD YEAR 

WhiTK falls the moonlight on the snow 
That lies so cold and still below. 
One dies to-night, and breezes sweet 
Will weave for him a winding-sheet. 

Who dies? A way-worn, deep-eyed man 
Who, since the early months began, 
Has walked with us through light and 

shade, 
A constant friend and undismayed. 

For us he lived; for us he wrought, 
And gave his treasure free, unsought. 
And now he dies; but hear him bless 
The child he holds in his caress. 

•'I leave thee all my wealth to-night, 
My harvestings of shade and light, 
The golden deeds that upward tend, , " 

The spirit-stairs where men ascend: 

228 



THE OLD YEAR 229 

"The seasons, with their fruitage fair; 
The sky, the sea, the earth, the air, 
The loss that meaneth more than gain; 
The heritage that comes with pain. 

**Kach kindly word, each loving smile. 
Each heart that worships, free from guile, 
All noble deeds that help and bless, 
And fill the world with righteousness. 

' ' O, child, before thy feet is cast 
The garnered wealth of all the past. 
Receive thy gift of grace and power. 
To make men better be thy dower! 

* ' Leave lilies on the graveyard sod. 
Teach human souls the love of God." 
He ceased. His last adieux are said. 
The clock strikes twelve. The year is dead. 



THE BERKSHIRE HII.I,S 

December, 1880 

"I HAVK seen my last of the Berkshire 
Hills," 
And he turned away and wept: 
While there murmured afar the mountain- 
rills, 
And the shadows downward crept. 

He had wandered far from his childhood's 
land, 

When the hopes of youth were high. 
He had come but to meet a broken band, 

And in childhood's home to die. 

"I have seen my last of the Berkshire 
Hills," 
Was his heart's low, sad refrain. 
''I have listened long to the mountain- 
rills 
That I shall not hear again. 



THE BERKSHIRE HHLS 231 

I have seen the mountains, towering 
grand, 
That were stately in their pride. 
When the beauteous Springtime decked 
the land 
As a lover decks his bride. 

I have seen them wrapped in the wildest 
flame, 

As Sinai's mount, so dread, 
Till the fires to the summit gleaming came, 

And the pines I loved were dead. 

I have seen them when shadows gathered 
near. 
And swept down the mountain-side. 
When the thunder filled all my soul with 
fear, 
And the rain with the whirlwind vied. 

I have seen them again, when the storm 
was past, 

As the summer moved along, 
And the fleecy clouds their shadows cast, 

While the woods were filled with song. 



232 THE BERKSHIRE HHLS 

' * I have seen them crowned with the red 
and gold, 
In the people's harvest-hour, 
While the wealth of the summer-suns 
untold, 
Was theirs in a glorious dower. 

"I have seen them in Winter's frosty light, 
As they smiled to meet the sun. 
With the snow on their brow as cold and 
white 
As the moon when day is done. 

**Ihave listened at night, when shadows 
dim 
Have softened their rugged brow. 
And have heard as a grand Cathedral 
H3ann 
The music I long for now. 

' ' Unresting, I looked to the restful height 
Till it brought me peace at length. 
From the graves where the shadows fell 
at night, 
I looked to the hills for strength. 



MV YEAR 



233 



' The Berkshire Hills, in their beauty and 
power, 

With a loving heart I greet, 
And am blessed anew in my dying hour 

By their benediction sweet." 



MY YKAR 



I H01.D the year within my hands. 
And helpless watch its drifting sands- 
Its sober sands of neutral tint 
That glowed erewhile with diamond glint; 
Adown Time's rapid river rolled, 
While yet remained the age of gold. 

Old year, thou wert as bright, with plan 
To aid the cause of God and man. 
Within the dust thy roses lie. 
Within my heart thy dreamings die. 
The light grows dim on many a shrine 
Where once I thought the fires divine. 



234 BETWEEN TWO YEARS 

What may it mean — this 3'ear of mine ? 
What soul of it remains divine ? 
May hand of Sybil wise uplift 
The scattered leaves of life that drift ? 
Vain questions, outward bound, I fling, 
And wait to hear the prophet sing. 



BETWEEN TWO YEARS 

The: old year passes far to-night, 
A shadow midst the fields of white. 
The dear, old year, with drooping head. 
Beyond the western hills is sped. 

The bells of midnight slowly toll — 
May God have mercy on his soul! 
Within his arms he bears away 
Our fairest idols, turned to clay. 

Yet have we kept bright blessings given, 
He left us on his way to heaven. 
We thank him for the gifts he brought; 
We love him for the good he wrought. 



BETWEEN TWO YEARS 235 

And for the rest; the fair and dead, 
For whom the midnight tears are shed, 
He but obeyed a high behest; 
He gave and took, as God saw best 

New Year, we greet thee, coming fleet 
Athwart the East with ^y\\\^ feet. 
Whate'er thou give! Whate'er thou take! 
We trust thee good for Christ's dear sake. 






illillllllllllllllllii* 
015 762 984 







\^\ 




\\ 







